Jonathan.

Philip Rick, Winesap, erroneously. King Philip, Wine, "

American: originated Kingston, N. Y. Shoots, light brown, slender, diverging; when grown and fruiting, tree has a drooping and pendent habit; very productive; needs rich, strong soil.

Fruit, medium; form, roundish, conical, regular; color, light yellow ground, mostly overspread, streaked, or stained with rich light red, and with few minute white dots; stem, rather long, slender; cavity, open, wide; calyx, small, nearly closed; basin, shallow, slightly furrowed; flesh, yellowish white, tender, juicy, slightly acid unless fully matured, when it is sub-acid, sprightly; core, medium; seeds, full, abundant, dark brown. December to February.

— F.R. Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865)

Jonathan.

Origin, Kingston, New York. Described by Judge Buell. A very superior dessert fruit; good for all purposes, and seems to do well everywhere. Its excellence has caused it to be called, particularly, a gentleman's apple, though quite acceptable to the farmers' boys.

Tree of rather slender growth; hence top-grafted in the orchard and stock-grafted in the nursery to produce early results; Spreading, rather drooping, productive; Shoots slender, light brown, buds small; Foliage rather sparse, grayish.

Fruit medium, round or oblong, conic, truncated, regular; Surface very smooth, waxy yellow, wholly covered brilliant dark red, mixed and striped; Dots minute, russet-veined.

Basin deep, regular, russet-veined; Eye small, closed, green.

Cavity acute, deep, regular, reddish brown; Stem long, slender.

Core medium, roundish-oval, regular, closed, scarcely clasping the eye; Seeds numerous, large, angular; Flesh whitish yellow, tender, breaking, very juicy; Flavor sub-acid, aromatic, equal to Spitzenberg; Quality best; Use, dessert, cooking, &c.; December, January.

Should be in every orchard.

— John A. Warder, American Pomology: Apples (1867)

Jonathan.

King Philip. Philip Rick.

The Jonathan is a very beautiful dessert Apple, and its great beauty, good flavor, and productiveness in all soils, unite to recommend it to orchard planters. The original tree of this variety is growing on the farm of Mr. Philip Rick, of Kingston, New York. It was first described by the late Judge Buel, and named by him, in compliment to Jonathan Hasbrouck, Esq., of the same place, who made known the fruit to him. It succeeds wherever grown, and proves one of the best in quality, and most profitable either for table or market. The tree is hardy, moderately vigorous, forming an upright spreading, round head. Young shoots rather slender, slightly pendulous, grayish brown.

Fruit of medium size, regularly formed, roundish conical, or tapering to the eye. Skin thin and smooth, the ground clear light yellow, nearly covered by lively red stripes, and deepening into brilliant or dark red in the sun. Stalk three-fourths of an inch long, rather slender, inserted in a deep, regular cavity. Calyx set in a deep, rather broad basin. Flesh white, rarely a little pinkish, very tender and juicy, with a mild, sprightly, vinous flavor. This fruit evidently belongs to the Spitzenburg class. Best. November to March.

— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)

Jonathan—Origin, Kingston, New York; this and Grimes Golden are considered the two best varieties for dessert use in the west. Jonathan is evidently of the Spitzenburg type and by some considered to be a seedling of that variety. Tree not hardy, in northern Iowa, Minnesota or the Dakotas, but specimens have been raised in a small way in very favorable locations and between the test winters, by top-grafting on hardy stocks—Fruit medium, roundish oblong, somewhat conical, truncated, regular; surface very smooth, clear light yellow, almost or wholly covered with solid brilliant dark red on sunny side, on shaded side mixed and striped with lighter red; dots distinct, many, minute, whitish; cavity acute, deep, regular, with stellate russet; stem long, slender; basin deep, smooth, very abrupt, rather wide; calyx small, closed, segments connivent. Core closed, scarcely clasping; cells obovate; tube conical; stamens median or basal; seeds plump, long, pointed; flesh white, very tender, juicy, spicy, aromatic, sprightly subacid, best. December to March north, late fall and early winter in the south.

— N.E. Hansen, A Study of Northwestern Apples (1902)

Jonathan.* Medium in size, round-ovate, or approaching truncate-conical; regular, nearly covered with brilliant stripes of clear red on a pale yellow ground; stalk slender; basin very distinct, rather deep; flesh white, very juicy, spicy, sub-acid, moderately rich. Keeps through winter. Shoots slender, diverging; tree very productive; fruit always handsome and fair. Fig. 422. Kingston, N. Y. The slender growth of the tree is an objection with cultivators. It succeeds well in most localities and is a popular market variety in many sections, both East and West.

— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)

JONATHAN.

REFERENCES.

1. Buel, N. Y. Bd. Agr. Mem., 1826:476, Cat. No. 392. 2. Cat. Hort. Soc. London, 1831. 3. Kenrick, 1832:47. 4. Downing, 1845:113. 5. Thomas, 1849:167, 189, fig. 6. Cole, 1849:123. 7. Hovey, Mag. Hort., 16:60. 1850. fig. 8. Emmons, Nat. Hist. N. Y., 3:60. 1851. col. pl. No. 25. 9. Am. Pom. Soc. Cat., 1856. 10. Hooper, 1857:48. 11. Reynolds, Horticulturist, 12:51. 1857. 12. Dewey, Ib., 12:198. 1857. 13. Elliott, 1858:86. fig. 14. Warder, 1867:679. fig. 15. Barry, 1883:348. 16. Hogg, 1884:119. 17. Lyon, Mich. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1890:294. 18. Meehan, Can. Hort., 14:75. 1891. fig. 19. Wickson, 1891:246. 20. Bailey, An. Hort., 1892:242. 21. Stinson, Ark. Sta. An. Rpt., 7:46. 1894. 22. Lyon, Mich. Sta. Bul., 118:60. 1895. 23. Ib., 143:200, 202. 1897. 24. Powell, Del. Sta. Bul., 38:18. 1898. 25. Van Deman, Rural N. Y., 59:224. 1900. 26. Kan. Sta. Bul., 106:53. 1902. 27. Hansen, S. D. Sta. Bul., 76:61. 1902. 28. Budd-Hansen, 1903:106. fig. 29. Powell and Fulton, U. S. B. P. I. Bul., 48:45. 1903. 30. Beach and Clark, N. Y. Sta. Bul., 248:127. 1904.

SYNONYMS. ESOPUS SPITZENBERG (NEW) (1). JOHNATHAN (21). Jonathan (11). King Philip (4, 7, 10, 11, 13). PHILIP RICK (11). Philip Rick (4, 7, 13). Ulster Seedling (1). Wine (erroneously 10, 13). Winesap (erroneously 10, 13).

This is a fruit of the Esopus Spitzenburg class. It is very beautiful, of a brilliant red color, highly flavored and of excellent quality for either dessert or culinary use. It excels its parent in hardiness, productiveness, health and vigor and is adapted to a wider range of territory, but the fruit is not so large nor does it keep as well as that of Esopus Spitzenburg. In New York state it does fairly well in favorable localities if grown on rich soil and given careful attention but even under such circumstances it does not usually attain as good size as it does in certain portions of the valleys of the Ohio, Mississippi and Missouri and in the irrigated districts in the mountain regions farther west. In some localities in these regions it ranks next to Ben Davis in commercial importance. As grown in this state it is ordinarily rather small with a comparatively high percentage of uneven and irregular fruit, and is not at all adapted to the general trade. At its best it is one of the most desirable varieties for the fancy trade at the holiday season. Its season is about the same as that of Tompkins King. It may be kept through the winter but when held in ordinary storage later than January dark spots are liable to develop in the skin and seriously injure the appearance of the fruit. Handled in this way its commercial limit is December or early January. In cold storage its commercial limit varies from January to March or sometimes later (30).

As grown in New York the tree is but a moderate grower and for this reason it is well to top-work it upon some stock that is more vigorous such as Northern Spy, Baldwin or Rhode Island Greening. It does not grow much above medium size and may be planted more closely than Baldwin. Particular attention should be given to keeping the soil fertile, well supplied with humus and well tilled, and the trees should be thoroughly protected from injurious insects and fungus-diseases. Under favorable conditions the tree is a reliable cropper bearing good crops biennially or in some cases almost annually. It comes into bearing rather young. Usually the fruit hangs pretty well to the tree. It is not recommended for general commercial planting in New York but in some places under good management it has proved a profitable variety.

Historical. The first published account which we find of the Jonathan is that given by Judge J. Buel, of Albany, in 1826, in an article on "Observations on the utility of a Descriptive Catalogue of Garden and Orchard Fruit," addressed to the members of the New York Horticultural Society, in which he presents "A Descriptive Catalogue of some of the most valuable apples propagated in the nurseries of this state." In this catalogue the Jonathan is listed as the Esopus Spitzenberg (New) with the synonym Ulster Seedling (1). In 1829 Judge Buel sent specimens of the fruit to the Massachusetts Horticultural Society with the statement that it was "An Esopus Seedling and sometimes called the New Spitzenberg." It originated on the farm of Mr. Philip Rick of Woodstock, Ulster county, New York (7). According to Downing the original tree was still alive in 1845. It was at first disseminated under various names, all of which were soon superseded by the name Jonathan which was assigned to it by Judge Buel in honor of Jonathan Hasbrouck by whom his attention was first called to the variety. It has been widely disseminated throughout the apple-growing regions of New York but in none of them is it grown extensively. It is extensively planted in regions farther west and south where, as above stated, it is recognized in many localities as one of the leading commercial varieties.

TREE. Tree medium in size, a moderately vigorous or rather slow grower. Form roundish or spreading, somewhat drooping, rather dense. Twigs medium in length, nearly straight, rather slender; internodes short. Bark dark brownish-red mingled with dark green, and heavily coated with scarf-skin; pubescent. Lenticels usually very scattering, sometimes moderately numerous, small to medium or sometimes large, roundish to oblong, not raised. Buds medium, plump, rather narrow, acute to obtuse, free, pubescent. Leaves medium or below, rather narrow.

FRUIT. Fruit medium to rather small, rarely large. Form roundish conic to roundish ovate, often somewhat truncate, regular; pretty uniform in shape and size. Stem medium to long, rather slender. Cavity acute to acuminate, deep to very deep, wide, symmetrical, sometimes slightly furrowed. Calyx small, closed. Basin deep to very deep, very abrupt, wide to moderately narrow.

Skin thin, tough, smooth, pale bright yellow overlaid with lively red, striped with carmine. When well colored the fruit is almost completely covered with red which deepens to purplish on the sunny side and often shows a beautiful contrasting bit of clear pale yellow about the cavity where a twig or leaf lay in contact with the skin. Less highly colored fruit has more of a striped appearance particularly toward the basin. Dots minute, usually inconspicuous. Prevailing effect attractive lively deep red.

Calyx tube rather small, funnel-shape or sometimes conical. Stamens basal to median.

Core medium or below, axile or nearly so; cells symmetrical but often not uniformly developed, usually closed, sometimes open; core lines clasp the funnel cylinder. Carpels rather concave, roundish to roundish cordate, emarginate, smooth. Seeds rather large, long, acute to acuminate, dark, numerous.

Flesh whitish or somewhat yellow, sometimes with tinge of red, firm, moderately fine, crisp, tender, juicy, very aromatic, sprightly subacid, very good to best.

Season November to January or later.

— S.A. Beach, The Apples of New York, Vol. 1 (1905)

Jonathan. — Origin, Kingston, New York; this and Grimes Golden are considered the two best varieties for dessert use in the West. Jonathan is evidently of the Spitzenburg type and by some is considered to be a seedling of that variety. For best results should not be grown alone but intermingled with other varieties for proper pollination of the blossoms; tree of moderate vigor, forming an upright, spreading; round head; shoots rather slender, drooping; foliage rather sparse, grayish.

Fruit medium, roundish oblong, somewhat conical, truncated, regular; surface very smooth, clear light yellow, almost or wholly covered with solid brilliant dark red on sunny side, on shaded side mixed and striped with lighter red; dots distinct, many, minute, whitish; cavity acute, deep, regular, with stellate russet; stem long, slender; basin deep, smooth, very abrupt, rather wide; calyx small, closed; segments connivent. Core closed, scarcely clasping; cells obovate; tube conical; stamens median or basal; seeds plump, long, pointed; flesh white, very tender and juicy, spicy, aromatic, sprightly subacid, quality best. December to March East, late fall and early winter in the South.

Top-grafting Jonathan on stronger growing varieties to overcome its slender growth is often practised; a grower in Iowa found Haas especially well adapted for this purpose.

— J.L. Budd & N.E. Hansen, American Horticultural Manual, Part II: Systematic Pomology (1914)

Jonathan

The Jonathan belongs to the Spitzenburg class. It is very beautiful, of a brilliant red color, highly flavored and of excellent quality for either dessert or culinary purposes. It excels the Spitzenburg in productivity, hardiness and vigor of the tree, and is adapted to a wider range of territory. In form the fruit is roundish conic to roundish ovate, often somewhat truncate, regular, rather uniform in shape and size. Skin tough, thin, smooth, pale bright yellow overlaid with a lively red, striped with carmine. In the irrigated regions it often takes on a deep or dark red color. Flesh whitish or somewhat yellow, sometimes with a tinge of red, firm, moderately fine, crisp, tender, juicy, very aromatic, sprightly subacid, very good to best.

Its season is from September to first of November for picking and marketing, depending on the sections in which grown, but may be held in storage until January and February, if grown in the colder higher altitudes. I have seen Colorado Jonathans in the markets of Texas in prime condition in February; but when grown in the Ozarks, they could not be marketed later than December.

Historical. The first published account which we find, is that given by Judge J. Buel of Albany in 1826, in an article the "Utility of a Descriptive Catalogue of Orchard Fruits." He listed the Jonathan as "Esopus Spitzenburg, New," with the synonym "Ulster Seedling" It originated on the farm of Mr. Philip Rick of Woodstock, Ulster county, New York. The name Jonathan was assigned to it by Judge Buel in honor of Jonathan Hasbrouck, by whom his attention was first called to the variety.

— Granville Lowther (ed.), Encyclopedia of Practical Horticulture (1914)

JONATHAN. Fig. 29. Jonathan has a world-wide reputation, and the apples by general consent are placed among the very best in both appearance and quality. Though only medium in size, the fruits are large enough for a dessert apple. The brilliant red skin, indistinctly striped with carmine and underlaid with pale yellow, contrasting with the nearly white flesh; and the shapely, round-conic, smoothly and regularly turned form, make it one of the most attractive apples. The flesh is firm, crisp, tender, juicy, not especially rich in flavor, but peculiarly sprightly and refreshing, having a distinct and most pleasing aroma. The season is from November to January, longer in cold storage, with the greatest demand at Christmas. Unfortunately, when the apples are kept long in either common or cold storage, dark spots develop in the skin which greatly mar their appearance. The trees are usually hardy, vigorous and productive, and very accommodating as to soils and climates, requiring, however, a fertile soil, and developing fullest perfection in cool climates. The variety is an inviting prey to insects and fungi, and the trees must be carefully sprayed. Jonathan is grown best in parts of the Middle West and the Pacific Coast states. The variety originated on the farm of Philip Rick, Ulster County, New York, about 1800, and the name commemorates Jonathan Hasbrouck, who had the honor of first calling attention to this excellent apple. Tree medium in size, vigorous, round or spreading, drooping, dense. Leaves small, narrow. Fruit small, rarely large, round-conic to round-ovate, often truncate, regular, uniform in shape and size; stem medium to long, slender; cavity acute, deep to very deep, abrupt, narrow; skin thin, tough, smooth, pale yellow striped with carmine, covered with red which deepens on the sunny side, often showing contrasting bits of pale yellow about the cavity; dots minute, inconspicuous; calyx-tube small, funnel-shape; stamens basal; core small, axile; cells symmetrical but often not uniformly developed, usually closed; core-lines clasping the funnel cylinder; carpels concave, round to round-cordate, emarginate, smooth; seeds large, long, acute, dark, numerous; flesh yellow, sometimes with a tinge of red, firm, fine, crisp, tender, juicy, very aromatic, sprightly subacid; very good to best; November to January.

— U.P. Hedrick, Cyclopedia of Hardy Fruits (1922)

Jonathan*

The Jonathan variety originated in New York State around 1800 and was soon widely distributed in this country. For many years it has been one of the leading commercial varieties in Oregon.

Characteristics Trees are medium in size and rather slow growing. They are roundish, somewhat drooping, and rather dense. Fruit is medium in size, roundish conic to ovate in shape, and uniform in shape and size. When well colored, the fruit is almost completely colored with red, and often shows a beautiful contrasting area of clear, pale yellow about the cavity. Several of the more recent red-colored bud sports of Jonathan have a beautiful clean, lively, red color of vivid brilliance.

Limitations Jonathan requires a fertile, deep, light soil for best growth, and trees are susceptible to powdery mildew. Another limitation is the development of "Jonathan Spot" in storage.

Red sports As in some other varieties, a number of red-colored sports of the Jonathan have appeared from time to time. Some of these have proved more desirable and profitable than the standard type. Our experience with most of the red sports indicates that fruit size tends to be smaller, heavier thinning is required, and the flavor is less appealing than the original type. Blackjon is the leading red strain of Jonathan grown in the Pacific Northwest. It attains a deep, red color a week to ten days earlier than Jonathan. Other features are essentially identical to Jonathan. Jonared is another strain of Jonathan that attains a higher percentage of red color and is a few days earlier. It usually colors slightly later than Blackjon.

Oregon growers are not showing any particular preference for Jonathan in future plantings, and it is likely that this trend may continue. Obtaining satisfactory fruit size and controlling powdery mildew have been serious problems for growers of this variety.

— Quentin B. Zielinski, Apple Varieties for Oregon (1964)

Planted Spring 1890. Tree a vigorous grower. Fruit small to medium, roundish, conical. Skin yellowish green, nearly covered with dark red. Flesh white, tender, juicy, aromatic, having a delicious flavour, quality very good. Season November to March.

— Central Experimental Farm, Central Experimental Farm, Agassiz BC — Catalogue of Fruit Trees under Test (Bulletin No. 3, 1900) (1900)

A beautiful brilliant red apple, highly flavored and of excellent quality, being tender, juicy, spicy, and rich—a splendid family sort and highly profitable for market. For years, Jonathan has been the standard of quality by which other sorts have been gauged. A seedling of Spitzenburg but of wider adaptability—tree is long-lived, productive, and an early bearer. Should be planted with other sorts for cross-pollenation, but this is true of all apples—it is always safer than to plant large blocks of any one variety. Jonathan is planted largely in Hood River Oregon orchards as a filler for Newtown and Spitzenburg, as it produces several money-making crops before the latter varieties come into bearing. NCS

— Stark Bros. Nurseries & Orchards Co., Stark Bros. Year Book (1910) (1910)