Wealthy.

A new variety originated by Peter M. Gideon, near St. Paul, Minn., from seed gathered in Maine about 1860. So far the tree has proved hardy, vigorous, and healthy.

Fruit medium, oblate or roundish oblate, whitish yellow ground, shaded with deep rich crimson in the sun, obscure broken stripes and mottlings in the shade, sometimes entirely covered with crimson, many light dots. Stalk short to medium, slender. Cavity green, russet. Calyx partially closed. Basin deep, abrupt, uneven. Flesh white, fine-grained, stained with red, tender, juicy, lively, vinous, subacid. Very good. Core small. Season, December, February.

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

Wealthy—Originated about 1861, from seed obtained from Bangor, Maine, by the late Peter M. Gideon, Excelsior, Minnesota. This one variety is an enduring monument for its originator, who persevered in raising many thousands of apple and crab seedlings under the most discouraging circumstances. Tree vigorous, spreading, very productive. There are now many seedlings of Wealthy (see Peter)—fruit above medium to large, roundish oblate, very regular; surface smooth, light yellow, almost wholly covered with bright crimson splashes and stripes, marbled, mottled and mixed on sunny side, a beautiful fruit; dots many, distinct, minute, white; cavity deep, acute, regular, with slight stellate russet; stem medium; basin deep, smooth, regular, abrupt, sometimes finely wrinkled; calyx partially closed, segments erect convergent. Core small, barely clasping, closed; cells round, entire; tube funnel-shaped; stamens median or basal; seeds plump; flesh white, often stained with red, tender, very juicy, sprightly subacid, very good. October to February. Mr. Gideon planted some Cherry crab seed and thought Wealthy was one of the seedlings. This is not generally accepted as it appears incredible that so great a change could be effected in one generation, even by hybridizing. The tree shows no crab parentage. Wyman Elliott of Minneapolis, Minnesota, one of the leading pioneer Minnesota horticulturists, writes in reply to a question: "I think 1861 is the correct date the apple seed was received from Albert Emerson, Bangor, Maine. I have tried to trace the exact date two or three times and have always come to this conclusion; and with all the present light on seedlings I am uncertain whether it is from Pyrus baccata or P. Malus. I rather favor the idea it is from some cross of Fameuse or a type of that variety. It seems hardly possible so good an apple should come from purely crab stock in the first generation. One thing we do know: Wealthy seedlings from seed of fruit grown on trees isolated, like the Lyman seedlings, come pretty pure Pyrus Malus in type. In a large majority of experiments, where seedlings of Wealthy have been produced, the mother tree was surrounded by a great variety of crabs and hybrids, so the seedlings must show a very large percentage of crab mixture."

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

Wealthy. Medium, roundish, oblate; yellowish shade with dark red, oily; flesh tender, white, juicy, sub-acid, very good. Tree hardy, vigorous and productive. A standard commercial variety in the plains region, and valued as an excellent culinary and market sort elsewhere. Minnesota. Fig. 469.

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

WEALTHY.

REFERENCES. 1. Downing, 1869:398. 2. Foster, Horticulturist, 25:362. 1870. 3. Am. Pom. Soc. Cat., 1871:10. 4. Thomas, 1875:515. 5. Montreal Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1876:19. 6. Ib., 1879:33. fig. 7. Ia. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1879:453. 8. Sheppard, Montreal Hort. Soc. Rpt., 8:140. 1881-82. 9. Foster, Ia. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1882:100. 10. Barry, 1883:356. 11. Gideon, Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt., 1885:114. 12. Montreal Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1886-87:17, 27. 13. Rural N. Y., 46:494, 751. 1887. 14. Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt., 1887:92. 15. Can. Hort., 11:31. 1888. 16. Rural N. Y., 48:177. 1889. 17. Gibb, Montreal Hort. Soc. Rpt., 15:19. 1890. 18. Hamilton, Ib., 15:27. 1890. 19. Lyon, Mich. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1890:298. 20. Can. Hort., 14:119, 131, 331. 1891. 21. Taylor, Me. Pom. Soc. Rpt., 1892:57. 22. Rural N. Y., 51:705. 1892. 23. Ont. Fr. Gr. Assn. An. Rpt., 26:65. 1894. 24. Rural N. Y., 54:682. 1895. 25. Woolverton, Ont. Fr. Stas. An. Rpt., 3:17. 1896. figs. 26. Waugh, Vt. Sta. Bul., 61:32. 1897. 27. Bunyard, Jour. Roy. Hort. Soc., 1898:357. 28. Am. Gard., 20:404. 1899. 29. Waugh, Vt. Sta. An. Rpt., 14:312. 1901. 30. Hays, U. S. Div. of Vegetable Physiology and Pathology Bul., 29:13. 1901. 31. Can. Hort., 25:121. 1902. 32. Van Deman, Rural N. Y., 61:249. 1902. 33. Munson, Me. Sta. An. Rpt., 18:85. 1902. 34. Hansen, S. D. Sta. Bul., 76:112. 1902. fig. 35. Dickens and Greene, Kan. Sta. Bul., 106:56. 1902. 36. Can. Hort., 26:12. 1903. 37. Budd-Hansen, 1903:198. fig. 38. Farrand, Mich. Sta. Bul., 205:47. 1903. 39. Powell and Fulton, U. S. B. P. I. Bul., 48:60. 1903. 40. Macoun, Can. Hort., 27:71. 1904. fig. of tree. 41. Beach and Clark, N. Y. Sta. Bul., 248:150. 1904. 42. Ragan, U. S. B. P. I. Bul., 56:326. 1905.

SYNONYMS. None.

This variety is particularly valuable for cold climates because the tree is very hardy and the fruit sells well, being bright red and good in quality for either dessert or culinary uses. It is in season from October to early winter or mid-winter. In ordinary storage its commercial limit is October, but in cold storage it may be kept till January or later. It does not stand heat very well before going into storage, and goes down rather quickly (41). Young trees or trees which are making a thrifty growth produce fruit of good size, but mature, slow-growing trees are apt to yield a considerable percentage of undersized fruit, especially when they are overloaded, as is often the case. The crop ripens unevenly, and more than one picking should be made in order to secure the fruit in prime condition. If it is left upon the tree till fully colored there is apt to be considerable loss by dropping. The tree is a good thrifty grower when young, but with maturity it becomes a moderate or rather slow grower, forming a medium-sized or rather dwarfish tree. Wealthy is being planted for commercial purposes in many parts of the state, but in most localities the trees are as yet comparatively young; in some sections of the state it is being planted more than any other apple of its season. Trees that have become old enough to develop the tendency to produce rather small fruit are in some places being grafted over to other sorts. In other places fruit growers, by adopting such treatment as thinning the fruit and keeping the soil fertile, continue to produce apples of good marketable size when the trees are mature.

Historical. Originated by Peter M. Gideon, Excelsior, Minn., from seed of the Cherry Crab, which he obtained about 1860 from Albert Emerson, Bangor, Me. (11, 28). Ragan (42) states that the fruit was first described in the Western Farmer in 1869. It has been extensively disseminated, particularly in those apple-growing districts where a tree of superior hardiness is especially desired. It is generally listed by nurserymen and its cultivation is gradually increasing.

TREE.

Tree somewhat dwarfish to medium size, moderately vigorous with short, moderately stout, curved branches. Form upright spreading or roundish, open and somewhat drooping. Twigs long, curved, slender; internodes long. Bark dark brown, lightly streaked with scarf-skin; pubescent. Lenticels quite numerous, medium to small, oblong, not raised, rather conspicuous. Buds medium size, broad, plump, obtuse, free, pubescent.

FRUIT.

Fruit above medium to large when well grown but often small on old trees; pretty uniform in shape and quality but more or less uneven in size. Form roundish conic, slightly flattened at base, regular, symmetrical. Stem usually short to medium, but rather long on small fruit and rather slender. Cavity decidedly acuminate, rather deep, moderately narrow to rather broad, russeted. Calyx medium size, closed or partly open; lobes broad, obtuse to acute. Basin medium in depth to rather shallow, rather narrow, abrupt, smooth, symmetrical. Skin thin, tough, pale yellow or greenish, blushed and marked with narrow stripes and splashes of red, deepening in highly colored specimens to brilliant red, very attractive. Dots numerous, small, inconspicuous, pale or russet. Prevailing effect bright red. Calyx tube conical approaching funnel-form. Stamens median. Core medium to very small, axile or sometimes slightly abaxile; cells symmetrical, slightly open; core lines clasping. Carpels medium to rather small, roundish, narrowing toward base and apex, smooth, flat. Seeds moderately dark brown, above medium, rather acute. Flesh whitish sometimes stained with red, moderately fine, crisp, tender, very juicy, agreeable subacid, sprightly, somewhat aromatic, good to very good.

Season October to January.

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

Wealthy. — Originated about 1861 from seed obtained from Bangor, Maine, by the late Peter M. Gideon, Excelsior, Minnesota. This one variety is an enduring monument for its originator, who persevered in raising many thousands of apple and crab seedlings under the most discouraging circumstances. Tree vigorous, spreading, very productive. There are now many seedlings of Wealthy. (See Peter.)

Wealthy.

Fruit above medium to large, roundish oblate, very regular; surface smooth, light yellow, almost wholly covered with bright crimson splashes and stripes, marbled, mottled, and mixed on sunny side, a beautiful fruit; dots many, distinct, minute, white; cavity deep, acute, regular, with slight stellate russet; stem medium; basin deep, smooth, regular, abrupt, sometimes finely winkled; calyx partially closed; segments erect convergent. Core small, barely clasping, closed; cells round, entire; tube funnel-shaped; stamens median or basal; seeds plump; flesh white, often stained with red, tender, very juicy, sprightly subacid, very good. October to February!

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

Wealthy

The Wealthy is well adapted to northern climates because the tree is very hardy and resistant to cold. It is somewhat dwarfish to medium in size, short, moderately stout, curved branches. Form upright, spreading or roundish, open and somewhat drooping. Bark dark brown, lightly streaked with scarf skin, pubescent. Fruit bright red, above medium to large, but inclines to be small and to ripen irregularly on old trees. Form roundish conic, slightly flattened at the base, regular, symmetrical. Stem usually short to medium, cavity decidedly acuminate, rather deep. Calyx medium sized, closed or partly open. Skin thin, tough, pale yellow or greenish, blushed and marked with narrow stripes and splashes of red, deepening in highly colored specimens to a brilliant red that is very attractive. In almost all parts of the arid sections where it is grown it takes on a rich color. Flesh is whitish, sometimes stained with red, moderately fine, crisp, tender, very juicy, agreeable subacid, sprightly, somewhat aromatic, good to very good. Season from October to January.

Historical. Originated by Peter M. Gideon, Excelsior, Minnesota, from the seed of the Cherry Crab, which he obtained from Albert Emerson, Bangor, Maine, in 1860. The fruit was first described in the Western Farmer, in 1869.

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

WEALTHY. Dessert, October to November, fairly large, 3 by 2¼, round, a little flattened each end. Colour, pale golden-yellow almost covered with brilliant crimson flush and broad stripes which extend right into the cavity. Flesh, white, often slightly stained with red, loose grained, juicy, very sweet, with a pleasant strawberry flavour. Eye, very small, closed, in a deep and rather narrow, slightly ribbed basin. Stem, very slender, rather long, in a remarkably narrow and deep cavity. Growth, rather slender, vigorous, little spreading; fertility, excellent. Leaf, rather dark, flat undulating, shallow serrate or almost crenate. Origin, raised in Minnesota by a Mr. Peter Gideon, about 1860. This apple is almost worth growing for its appearance alone, and to those who like a tender fleshed variety it will be acceptable; it is rather too soft for market use.

— E.A. Bunyard, A Handbook of Hardy Fruits (1920)

WEALTHY. Fig. 60.

Wealthy is a standard American apple, indispensable in cold regions and valuable wherever apples are grown on this continent. Its good qualities are: the fruits are handsome in appearance, color, size, and shape, in all of which they are uniform; the quality, while not of the best, is good, the flesh being especially crisp, juicy, and refreshing; the fruits stand handling and storage; the trees bear early and abundantly and at first are thrifty and healthy. Faults are: the trees fail in vigor as they reach maturity and are never of large size; the apples run small and uneven on old trees, and there is some loss from dropping. Wealthy is an ideal apple for planting as a filler among permanent trees. The variety is especially well adapted to sandy and gravelly soils. Wealthy originated from seed of the Cherry Crab planted by Peter M. Gideon, Excelsior, Minnesota, about 1860.

Tree dwarfish, vigorous, upright-spreading, open and drooping, with short, stout, curved branches. Fruit medium to large, uniform in shape, round-conic, slightly flattened at base, regular, symmetrical; stem short, long on small fruit, slender; cavity acuminate, deep, narrow, russeted; calyx closed or partly open; lobes broad, obtuse; basin narrow, abrupt, smooth, symmetrical; skin thin, pale yellow, blushed and marked with narrow stripes and splashes of red, deepening to brilliant red; dots numerous, inconspicuous, pale or russet; prevailing effect bright red; calyx-tube conical; stamens median; core small, axile or sometimes abaxile; cells symmetrical, open; core-lines clasping; carpels small, round, narrowing toward base and apex, smooth, flat; seeds dark brown, acute; flesh white, sometimes stained with red, fine, crisp, tender, very juicy, agreeable subacid, sprightly, aromatic; good to very good; October to January.

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

Planted Spring 1890. Tree a vigorous grower and a regular bearer. Fruit of medium size, roundish, oblate. Skin whitish yellow, nearly covered with rich crimson. Flesh white, crisp, fine grained, tender, juicy, sub-acid, quality good. Season October and November.

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

Medium, an American variety of great excellence: very handsome, a free bearer, with soft flesh; dark red, juicy, with rich vinous flavour; free grower. Standards, 2/6. F.C., R.H.S.

— George Bunyard & Co., George Bunyard Fruit Catalogue (1901) (1901)

Large, smooth, almost overspread with brilliant red—most attractive; fine quality, absolutely the best of its season. A good keeper in storage and is becoming more popular and profitable as a market sort. Particularly valuable for cold climates, as it is very hardy. A young bearer and can be profitably used as a filler in all apple regions. NNCS

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

medium size, very handsome dark red, flesh soft and juicy with a rich flavour, an American variety of great excellence, a free grower and good cropper. F.C.C. ... Oct. & Nov.

— James Veitch & Sons, Veitch's Fruit Trees (1911) (1911)

Dessert or Culinary; Oct.-Nov. Medium, round, even, beautifully striped with crimson on pale yellow; flesh soft, very juicy, and pleasantly flavoured; tree compact and fertile. F.C. Raised in Minnesota by a Mr. Peter M. Gideon about 1860.

— George Bunyard & Co., George Bunyard Catalog of Fruit Trees (1914) (1914)