NERO.

REFERENCES. 1. Ill. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 23:79. 1889. 2. Bailey, An. Hort., 1892:245. 3. Brown, Rural N. Y., 55:1. 1896. fig. 4. Lyon, Mich. Sta. Bul., 169:187. 1899. 5. Am. Pom. Soc. Cat., 1899:19. 6. Blackwell, Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt., 1899:198. 7. Budd-Hansen, 1903:134. 8. Powell and Fulton, U. S. B. P. I. Bul., 48:50. 1903.

This is a variety of the Minkler group. It resembles Minkler in fruit and in the nursery its trees appear to be almost identical with those of the Minkler. The fruit is of good medium size, attractive red color, firm, has a tough skin, handles well and keeps late, but it is inclined to scald considerably after midwinter unless highly colored (8). It has not yet been sufficiently tested here to demonstrate whether it is a desirable variety for this region but the fact that none of the group of apples to which Nero belongs has become a leading commercial variety in this state indicates that probably it will not be found well adapted to New York conditions.

Historical. Origin Princeton, New Jersey (7). It is regarded with favor in Central New Jersey (6) and has been disseminated to a considerable extent in regions farther west and south. As yet it is practically unknown in New York.

FRUIT.

Fruit above medium. Form roundish, a little inclined to conical, pretty regular and symmetrical. Stem short to medium, moderately thick. Cavity acute to somewhat acuminate, medium in depth to deep, medium in width to rather broad, often russeted and with outspreading russet rays. Calyx medium or above, usually closed; lobes pubescent, often erect or convergent, usually not separated at the base. Basin obtuse to somewhat abrupt, shallow to moderately deep, rather wide, sometimes gently furrowed, wrinkled. Skin moderately thick, tough, glossy, clear greenish-yellow mostly covered with bright red marked with numerous narrow rather inconspicuous carmine stripes. Dots mostly small, whitish or russet. Prevailing effect good bright red.

Calyx tube short, conical or funnel-shape. Stamens below median to basal.

Core median or inclined to sessile, rather small, axile or nearly so; cells symmetrical, closed; core lines meeting or clasping. Carpels roundish to elliptical, smooth or nearly so, deeply emarginate. Seeds large, moderately narrow, long, irregular, obtuse to acute.

Flesh yellowish, firm, moderately coarse, rather crisp, moderately tender, moderately juicy, mild subacid mingled with sweet, slightly aromatic, good to very good.

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

Nero. — Origin, Princeton, Mercer Co., New Jersey; tree vigorous, spreading. Fruit large, roundish oblate; surface clear yellow, nearly covered with dull red, deepening into dark red, with patches and marblings of russet; dots few, large, roundish, with grayish centres; cavity narrow, deep, regular, russeted; stem one-half inch long, medium; basin very broad, saucer-shaped, ribbed; calyx large, open; segments long; tube short, funnel-shaped; flesh whitish, juicy, firm, crisp, with a mild, subacid, slightly aromatic flavor, quality good. Season, January to April. (Mich. Exp. Sta. Bui., 169, p. 187.)

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