Lady Elgin
Crab AppleLady Elgin
Origin and History
This beautiful new Siberian apple originated on the farm of James Forbes, of Ridott Township, Illinois. Also known as Geneva and Marengo Siberian No. 4.
Tree
Hardy, vigorous, upright habit with slender branches. Very productive.
Fruit
Size and Form: Large for a Siberian; roundish oblate, regular.
Skin: Smooth, whitish yellow, nearly covered with bright rich red, with a few light and gray dots scattered across the surface.
Stalk: Medium length, slender.
Cavity: Small.
Calyx: Closed.
Basin: Shallow, corrugated.
Flesh: White, fine-grained, tender, juicy, mild subacid with a slightly vinous character. Quality: very good.
Flavor and Uses
A pleasant dessert fruit with a slight acid or vinous flavor—a character said to be preferred by some to the rich sweetness of a peach. Excellent for canning.
Season
September to December (harvest through storage period).
Book Sources
Described in 1 period pomological work
Nursery Catalog Sources
Found in 9 catalogs (1886–1912) from Alabama, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Washington
- Huntsville Wholesale Nurseries (Jessie S. Moss , Proprietor; W.F. Heikes, Manager), Huntsville , Alabama — 1886
- William H. Moon Co. , Morrisville, Bucks County , Pennsylvania — 1890
- Rogers Nursery Co. , Moorestown , New Jersey — 1893
- The Lovett Company , Little Silver , New Jersey — 1896
- Reading Nursery , Jacob W. Manning, Proprietor, Reading , Massachusetts — 1898
- Brown Brothers Co. , Continental Nurseries, Rochester, NY (also operated from Toronto, Canada) — 1899
- Brown Brothers Co. , Continental Nurseries, Rochester, NY (also operated from Toronto, Canada) — 1901
- Wm. J. Corse (successor to Robert Sinclair / Sinclair Nurseries) , Baltimore , Maryland — 1909
- Vineland Nurseries Company , Clarkston , Washington — 1912
View original book sources (1)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Lady Elgin.
Geneva. Marengo Siberian, No. 4.
This beautiful new Siberian apple originated on the farm of James Forbes, of Ridott Township, Ill. Tree hardy, vigorous, upright, slender branches, very productive, a pleasant dessert fruit, and said to be excellent for canning; the slight acid or vinous flavor being preferred by some to the rich sweet of the peach.
Fruit large for a Siberian, roundish oblate, regular; skin smooth, whitish yellow, nearly covered with bright rich red, a few light and gray dots; stalk medium, slender; cavity small; calyx closed; basin shallow, corrugated; flesh white, fine, tender, juicy, mild subacid, slightly vinous; very good. September, December.