Wolf River.

A new, large, handsome apple, the tree of which was grown by W. A. Springer, and disposed of before fruiting to the late Henry Riflen, near the east bank of Wolf River, Fremont, Wis.; supposed to be a seedling of the Alexander, which it somewhat resembles; not usually so large nor so regular in form, darker in color, and rather better in quality. The tree is said to be very hardy; a strong, vigorous grower, spreading, with large thick leaves; not an early bearer, but producing full crops on alternate years.

Fruit large to very large, oblate to roundish oblate, slightly angular, some of the larger specimens uneven and irregular, but those of average size are regular; skin pale greenish yellow, but becomes whitish when mature, shaded with light and dark red or crimson where fully exposed, having a thin whitish bloom, and a few light dots; stalk very short, quite small; cavity rather large, greenish, sometimes much russetted; calyx open, or nearly so; basin large, very deep, a little uneven; flesh white, rather coarse, half tender, juicy, pleasant, mild subacid, with a peculiar spicy, slight quince-like flavor; core medium. Season, October, November.

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

WOLF RIVER.

References. 1. Wis. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1875:107. 2. Ia. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1879:452. 3. Budd, Ib., 1880:524. 4. Downing, 1881:113 app. 5. Am. Pom. Soc. Cat., 1881:16. 6. Barry, 1883:357. 7. Wis. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1886:148. 8. Van Deman, U. S. Pom. Rpt., 1886:271. fig. 9. Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt., 1887:93. 10. Can. Hort., 11:9. 1888. 11. Bailey, An. Hort., 1892:253. 12. Can. Hort., 16:34. 1893. 13. Ib., 20:34. 1897. 14. Thomas, 1897:286. fig. 15. Waugh, Vt. Sta. Bul., 61:132. 1897. 16. Woolverton, Out. Fr. Stas. An. Rpt., 6:32. 1899. 17. Can. Hort., 22:121, 437. 1899. figs. 18. Woolverton, Out. Fr. Stas. An. Rpt., 7:10. 1900. figs. 19. Waugh, Vt. Sta. An. Rpt., 14:313. 1901. 20. Hansen, S. D. Sta. Bul., 76:116. 1902. fig. 21. Dickens and Greene, Kan. Sta. Bul., 106:56. 1902. 22. Budd-Hansen, 1903:207. fig. 23. Powell and Fulton, U. S. B. P. I. Bul., 48:61. 1903. 24. Beach and Clark, N. Y. Sta. Bul., 248:151. 1904.

Synonyms. None.

This is a variety of the Aport group. It resembles Alexander very closely in size, form, and color. Hansen states (20) that it is "supposed to be a seedling of the Alexander, which it sometimes resembles, but is more round and less conical, and averages larger, as grown in the West. The Wolf River has largely superseded Alexander in the western states. Tree a strong spreading grower, not an early bearer, but productive in alternate years." As fruited at this Station it is in season from September to December, with October as the commercial limit in ordinary storage. In cold storage it may be held till January. It does not stand heat well,

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

Wolf River. Size: large. Form: roundish (oblate). Color: red. Quality: good. Use: both kitchen and market. Season: winter. N. Div.: 1 (also reported in another division). C. Div.: 3 (also reported in another division).

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

Planted Spring 1890. Tree a vigorous grower. Fruit very large, roundish, oblate. Skin yellowish white, with light and dark red over nearly the whole surface. Flesh white, juicy, rather coarse, mildly acid. A good cooking apple. Season November and December.

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

Wolf River—Originated with W. A. Springer, near Wolf river, Fremont, Wis., and disposed of before fruiting to the late Henry Riflen; supposed to be a seedling of the Alexander which it sometimes resembles, but is more round and less conical and averages larger, as grown in the west. The Wolf River has largely superseded Alexander in the western states. Tree a strong spreading grower, not an early bearer, but productive in alternate years—Fruit very large, often enormous, roundish to roundish oblate, somewhat irregular and angular, especially when overgrown; surface whitish yellow, almost wholly covered with bright red and rosy crimson, with carmine splashes and thin whitish bloom, a very handsome fruit; dots white, obscure; cavity regular, deep, somewhat acuminate, medium width, russeted; stem short; basin narrow, abrupt, wavy; calyx half open. Core open, clasping, medium size; cells roundish ovate, slit; tube conical; stamens median; seeds not many, short, plump; flesh whitish, coarse grained, moderately juicy, pleasant subacid, good only. October to midwinter.

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

Wolf River. Very large, round oblate, regular, smooth; yellowish white, splashed with bright red, dots large, scattering, light gray; basin shallow, small; eye medium, open, segments reflexed; cavity deep, wide, very russet; stem short, stout; flesh yellowish white, coarse, tender, dry when ripe, sub-acid, not rich, medium quality only. Valuable in the Northwest. Winter. Fig. 447. Wisconsin.

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

Wolf River. — Originated with W. A. Springer, near Wolf River, Fremont, Wis., and disposed of before fruiting to the late Henry Riflen; supposed to be a seedling of the Alexander, which it somewhat resembles, but is more round and less conical and averages larger, as grown in the West. The Wolf River has largely superseded Alexander in the western States; tree a strong spreading grower, not an early bearer, but productive in alternate years.

Fruit very large, often enormous, roundish to roundish oblate, somewhat irregular and angular, especially when overgrown; surface whitish yellow, almost wholly covered with bright red and rosy crimson, with carmine splashes and thin whitish bloom, a very handsome fruit; dots white, obscure; cavity regular, deep, somewhat acuminate, medium width, russeted; stem short; basin narrow, abrupt, wavy; calyx half open. Core open, clasping, medium size; cells rounded, ovate, slit; tube conical; stamens median; seeds not many, short, plump; flesh whitish, coarse-grained, moderately juicy, pleasant subacid, good only. October to midwinter.

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

WOLF RIVER. Fig. 63. Wolf River is of note chiefly for its very large apples. The fruits resemble those of the better-known and more desirable Alexander in color, shape, and quality; but average larger and are rounder and less conical. The tree is very hardy and thrifty, but is only moderately productive. In the West, many prefer tree and fruit to the Alexander—not so in the East. The variety originated on the farm of W. A. Springer, Wolf River, Wisconsin, and was first described in 1875. Tree large, vigorous, spreading, open, drooping. Fruit very large, uniform in size and shape, broad and flat at the base, conic or round, often irregular; stem short, thick, not exserted; cavity acuminate, deep, wide, heavily russeted; calyx large, open or closed; basin deep, narrow, abrupt, usually smooth, broadly furrowed; skin thick, pale yellow, mottled and blushed with bright, deep red and marked with conspicuous splashes and broad stripes of bright carmine; dots numerous, large, areolar, depressed, pale or russet; calyx-tube conical; stamens median; core large, abaxile; cells closed or partly open; core-lines clasping; carpels broadly cordate, emarginate, tufted; seeds dark brown, wide, short, plump, obtuse; flesh white tinged with yellow, firm, coarse, tender, juicy, subacid, aromatic; fair to good; September to December.

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