Ohio Nonpareil. MYER'S NONPAREIL.—WESTERN BEAUTY.

This fine fruit originated with Mr. Myers, near Massillon, Ohio.

It was described in the Western Horticultural Review for February, 1853.

Tree vigorous, healthy, spreading, limbs straight, stout and compact, not liable to break with the weight of fruit. The original tree had borne annual crops of even sized fruit for twenty years.

Fruit large to very large, regular, oblate, very handsome; Surface smooth, yellow, covered with bright red; Dots scattered, gray.

Basin medium, wide, regular; Eye large, closed. Cavity deep, acute, regular; Stem short, small. Core regular, somewhat open; Seeds numerous, medium; Flesh yellowish, tender, fine-grained, juicy; sub-acid, rich; First quality, for table, market, cooking or drying; Season September to December. Compared with some of the best dessert apples of the season, such as Hawley, Fall Pippin, Fall Wine, Rambo, and others, this variety was declared to be "better than the best."

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

Ohio Nonpareil.

Myer's Nonpareil. Cattell Apple. Western Beauty, erroneously. Rusty Core.

This is one of the most valuable of autumn Apples, whether for market or table use. Its origin is in doubt, the first known trees of it being in the orchard of Bowman, Massillon, Ohio. The young trees are very vigorous, with stout, straight shoots, while the orchard trees are very wide, regular, open, spreading, requiring little or no thinning, and bearing the fruit evenly over the whole tree, and all fair sized, smooth fruit. Young shoots smooth, rich, dark reddish brown.

Fruit medium to large. Form roundish oblate. Color yellow, shaded, marbled, and splashed with two shades of rich red, thinly sprinkled with light and gray dots. Stalk medium, rather slender. Cavity large, deep, regular. Calyx rather large, partially open. Segments rather short. Basin medium. Flesh yellowish white, fine-grained, tender, juicy, rich, slightly aromatic subacid. Core small. Very good. October, November.

Ohio Nonpareil.

Ohio Pippin. Ernst's Pippin. Shannon.

Origin in doubt. Supposed Dayton, Ohio. It was first disseminated by the late A. H. Ernst, of Cincinnati. Tree healthy, vigorous, spreading, moderately productive. Young shoots strong, dull reddish brown, quite downy.

Fruit large, roundish oblate, yellow, with mottled red in the sun. Flesh yellowish, moderately juicy, pleasant, sharp subacid. Good. Core small. November, January.

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

(I) SHANNON.

REFERENCES. 1. Downing, 1881:104 app. 2. Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt., 1885:25. 3. Van Deman, U. S. Pom. Rpt., 1886:269. fig. 4. Babcock, Rural N. Y., 49:873. 1890. figs. 5. McNeil, Ark. Sta. Rpt., 1890:33. 6. Bailey, An. Hort., 1892:249. 7. Clayton, Ala. Sta. Bul., 47:7. 1893. 8. Stinson, Ark. Sta. Bul., 43:104. 1896. 9. Ib., 60:133. 1899. 10. Dickens and Greene, Kan. Sta. Bul., 106:55. 1902.

SYNONYM. SHANNON PIPPIN (1, 7).

Fruit large, yellow, smooth, pretty uniform, rather attractive in appearance and very good in quality; suitable for either home use or market. So far as tested here it is not sufficiently productive to be valuable in this region.

Historical. The history of the Shannon is rather obscure. For some time it was supposed by leading pomologists that Shannon was an Arkansas name given to the Ohio Pippin.¹·² Later investigators however have been led to question the correctness of this view (1, 3, 9) and the bulk of the evidence now seems to indicate that the Shannon is an Arkansas seedling closely resembling the Ohio Pippin yet with sufficient difference to distinguish the varieties. As fruited at this Station the tree of Ohio Pippin is slightly less vigorous than that of Shannon. The fruit averages smaller, is usually somewhat conic, the seeds are more numerous, the flavor is milder and the season is decidedly earlier than that of Shannon. Shannon is said to have originated near Boonsboro, Washington county, Ark. (9). It has been but little disseminated in New York.

TREE.

Tree vigorous with long and rather stout branches. Form rather open, spreading. Twigs medium to long, moderately stout, crooked to nearly straight, quite pubescent; internodes moderately short to very short. Bark reddish-brown, mottled with thin scarf-skin. Lenticels numerous, inconspicuous, very small, roundish or sometimes elongated. Buds medium to large, roundish, plump, somewhat acute to rather obtuse, appressed, pubescent.

¹Warder, 1867:484, 731. ²Downing, 1869:292.

FRUIT.

Fruit large. Form oblate to roundish oblate, often somewhat elliptical and obscurely ribbed; sides sometimes unequal. Stem short, moderately thick. Cavity moderately large, acute to acuminate, deep, moderately broad to very broad, symmetrical or somewhat furrowed, often with radiating russet rays or overspread with russet. Calyx large, open or partly open; lobes separated at base. Basin above medium to rather small, moderately shallow to deep, moderately narrow to rather wide, abrupt, usually indistinctly furrowed but sometimes smooth.

Skin rather thin, tough, smooth, bright, clear pale yellow, usually somewhat blushed. Dots inconspicuous, pale green or whitish, often submerged, sometimes with russet point.

Calyx tube yellow, rather long, very wide, cone-shape or somewhat funnel-form and sometimes extending to the core. Stamens median.

Core medium to rather small, slightly abaxile; cells often not uniformly developed, symmetrical, partly open or closed; core lines slightly clasping or meeting. Carpels thin, tender, roundish, mucronate, but slightly emarginate if at all, usually smooth. Seeds few, short to medium, plump, narrow to rather wide, acute.

Flesh whitish tinged with yellow, moderately firm, moderately fine-grained, breaking, tender, juicy to very juicy, sprightly subacid, good to very good.

Season at Geneva November to April or May.

(II) SHANNON.

REFERENCE. 1. J. R. Johnson, Cat., 1894.

The variety described below, so far as we know, has not been disseminated in New York. The following account is given in order that the reader may distinguish between this Shannon and the Shannon above described.

This originated as a chance seedling on the farm of Wm. Shannon, Coshocton county, Ohio. It was introduced by J. R. Johnson, of Coshocton, who stated that it is "yellow, of good size and good quality, keeps till April and holds its flavor; tree a good grower and a good bearer" (1). Mr. Johnson reports that he ventured to catalogue it under the name Shannon for local trade although he knew that a very different apple had been previously introduced under that name by A. H. Ernst.¹

¹Letter, J. R. Johnson, 1888.

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

OHIO NONPAREIL.

REFERENCES.

1. Mag. Hort., 14:114. 1848. 2. Emmons, Nat. Hist. N. Y., 3:77. 1851. fig. 3. Elliott, 1854:148. fig. 4. Mag. Hort., 22:85, 506. 1856. 5. Hooper, 1857:15. 6. Downing, C., Mag. Hort., 27:59. 1861. 7. Am. Pom. Soc. Cat., 1862. 8. Elliott, Mag. Hort., 32:51. 1866. 9. Warder, 1867:447. fig. 10. Downing, 1869:29. fig. 11. Am. Pom. Soc. Cat., 1869. 12. Fitz, 1872:171. 13. Thomas, 1875:203. 14. Barry, 1883:340. 15. Lyon, Mich. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1890:294. 16. Bailey, An. Hort., 1892:245. 17. Budd-Hansen, 1903:141. fig.

SYNONYMS. BELLFLOWER OF THE WEST (5). Cattell Apple (10, of Pennsylvania 6). MYERS NONPAREIL (3, 7, 8, 13). Myers Nonpareil (6, 9, 10, 12, 14). Nonpareil (6). OHIO NONPAREIL (1, 4, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17). Ohio Nonpareil (5, 13). OHIO NONPAREIL (2, 16). Red Bellflower of some (5). Rusty Core (6, 10). Wells (5). Western Beauty (9, erroneously 10).

A fine fall apple of good color and good quality for either dessert or culinary purposes. The tree is a moderate grower and appears to be hardy and moderately long-lived. It does not come into bearing very young and is not always a reliable cropper. It is regarded as a good variety for home use and some recommend it for commercial planting. Season October and November.

Historical. Originated near Massillon, Ohio. Although this is an old variety having first been described in 1848 (1) we do not find that it has been much disseminated in New York. It is more popular in the Middle West and is still offered by nurserymen in that region (16).

TREE.

Tree medium size, moderately vigorous. Form rather spreading, not dense. Twigs medium length, curved, rather stout. Bark olive-green with some reddish-brown, thinly streaked and mottled with gray scarf-skin. Lenticels scattering, conspicuous, large, usually round, becoming laterally compressed. Buds medium to small, obtuse, appressed, pubescent.

FRUIT.

Fruit medium to large. Form roundish oblate, often obscurely ribbed. Stem medium to rather short, rather thick. Cavity rather large, acute, deep, pretty symmetrical, more or less russeted, the russet sometimes outspreading over the base. Calyx medium or above, closed or slightly open; lobes medium in length, narrow, acute. Basin rather small, medium in depth, narrow to moderately wide, somewhat abrupt, rather symmetrical. Skin pale yellow to deep yellow almost entirely overspread with bright red, mottled and irregularly striped and splashed with carmine. Dots moderately numerous, small to medium, areolar with russet center or grayish. Calyx tube moderately short, conical. Stamens basal to nearly median. Core small, somewhat abaxile; cells symmetrical, not uniformly developed, nearly closed to somewhat open; core lines meeting or slightly clasping. Carpels roundish, rather flat, tufted. Seeds medium size, moderately long, plump, acute, tufted. Flesh tinged with yellow, firm, moderately fine, crisp, tender, juicy, agreeable subacid, aromatic, good to very good.

Season October and November.

— S.A. Beach, The Apples of New York, Vol. 2 (1905)

Ohio Nonpareil is a large apple of roundish (oblate) form with yellow-red skin. Quality is very good. It is suited for both kitchen and market use. Season of ripening is winter. It was reported by 4 stations in the Northern Division, 3 stations in the Central Division, and 1 station in the Southern Division; the asterisk on each division count indicates the variety is reported as adapted to more than one of the three divisions.

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

Myer's. (Ohio Nonpareil.) Large, roundish, slightly oblate; marbled and splashed red on yellow; cavity and basin medium; flesh yellowish white, with an excellent sub-acid flavor. Autumn. Growth strong and straight, forming a compact head. Productive, and much valued at the West.

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

Ohio Nonpareil.—Originated with Mr. Myers near Massillon, Ohio. Tree vigorous, wide spreading.

Fruit large; form roundish oblate, regular; surface smooth, yellow, shaded, marbled and splashed with two shades of rich bright red; dots few, light, gray; cavity large, deep, acute, regular; stem short, rather slender; basin wide, regular, medium; calyx rather large, partially open; segments rather short. Core small, somewhat open; seeds many; flesh yellowish white, fine-grained, tender, juicy, rich, slightly aromatic, subacid, very good. October, November.

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

OHIO NONPAREIL. Nonpareil. Red Bellflower. This sort, once very popular in the Middle West, is now to be found only in old orchards. The tree is seldom satisfactory. It originated near Massillon, Ohio, and was first described in 1848.

Tree medium in size, spreading.

Fruit medium to large, round-oblate, often obscurely ribbed; stem short and thick; cavity large, acute, deep, symmetrical, russeted, the russet sometimes spreading over the base; calyx closed or slightly open; lobes narrow, acute; basin small, medium in depth, wide, abrupt, symmetrical; skin yellow overspread with bright red, mottled and irregularly striped and splashed with carmine; dots numerous, small, areolar with russet center; calyx-tube short, conical; stamens basal; core small, abaxile; cells symmetrical, closed or open; core-lines meeting; carpels round, flat, tufted; seeds medium in size, long, plump, acute, tufted; flesh yellow, firm, fine, crisp, tender, juicy, agreeably subacid, aromatic; good to very good; October and November.

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