TOBIAS.

REFERENCES. 1. Goff, N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt., 7:90. 1888. 2. Macomber, Amer. Gard., 11:140. 1890. 3. Beach and Clark, N. Y. Sta. Bul., 248:146. 1904.

SYNONYM. TOBIAS APPLE (1, 2).

As fruited at this Station this is a yellow apple of fairly attractive appearance averaging hardly medium size. It is fair to good in quality. It is in its prime in midwinter but its season extends from November to April. The tree is hardy, comes into bearing rather young and is a reliable cropper, yielding from moderate to good crops biennially or almost annually. It does not excel standard varieties for any purpose and is not worthy of the attention of fruit growers except perhaps in Northern New York where it may be desirable on account of its superior hardiness.

Historical. Originated with Mr. James Tobias in Grand Isle county, Vt. (2). So far as we know it is practically unknown outside of the Lake Champlain district. It was received for testing at this Station in 1888 from J. T. Macomber, Grand Isle, Vt.

TREE.

Tree moderately vigorous. Form roundish or spreading, rather dense. Twigs long to medium, irregularly curved, stout; internodes medium to long. Bark dull brown tinged with red, heavily streaked with scarf-skin; slightly pubescent. Lenticels scattering, medium to large, roundish to oblong, slightly raised. Buds deeply set in bark, medium size, broad, flat, obtuse, appressed, pubescent.

FRUIT.

Fruit below medium to sometimes rather large. Form oblate, varying to roundish, often a little inclined to conic, regular to broadly angular, sometimes distinctly furrowed from basin to cavity. Stem medium to rather long, slender to moderately stout, pubescent, often obliquely set. Cavity small to medium, varying from slightly acuminate to a little obtuse, deep, moderately narrow to rather broad, somewhat furrowed, sometimes thinly russeted and with outspreading russet rays. Calyx medium to rather large, usually partly open; lobes long, acute. Basin small to medium, shallow and obtuse to moderately deep and somewhat abrupt, narrow to medium in width. Skin moderately tender, smooth or roughened with russet dots and flecks, yellow, occasionally with slight blush. Dots distinct, numerous, medium to small, russet-gray or whitish, often submerged. Calyx tube variable, cone-shape to truncate funnel-form. Stamens median to basal. Core small, axile to somewhat abaxile; cells usually symmetrical, closed or sometimes open; core lines meeting. Carpels rather flat, roundish, slightly emarginate. Seeds numerous, often with some abortive. The plump ones are large, long, rather wide, obtuse, slightly tufted, clear reddish-brown. Flesh yellowish, firm, moderately coarse, crisp, moderately tender, juicy, sprightly subacid, fair to good.

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