North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Richard J. Ossolinski" <osso@acadia.net>]

Mike,
Williams Early Red is the first to ripen here in Gouldsboro.  Diligent
thinning will produce decent size, fully colored (red) fruit that is highly
flavored (almost vinous) and makes a tasty and beautiful applesauce.  Its
soft, mealy texture is unpleasant to my palate, but it IS an early ripener,
and the sauce IS both pretty and good.  If limited space were a factor I'd opt
for Williams Pride, which is only a week or two later here and is a far
superior apple in every regard, and also immune to scab.
Richard
Gouldsboro, ME Zone 5
(P.S. Will you be attending the scion exchange in March?)

Michael Glassford wrote:
> 
> 1) I'm looking for early-season apples: either one (ripening somewhere from
> July to Mid August) or perhaps two (one from July to early August, the other
> from Mid to late August). Best would be apples that are very good for both
> fresh eating and cooking (primarily apple sauce/butter and a few pies); next
> best would be either very good eating and decent cooking, or very cooking
> and decent eating. Recommendations, anyone?
> 
> 2) To "prime the pump", here's a list of the best possibilities that I've
> found so far. Any information, comments, or recommendations about any of
> these apples would help me a lot.
> 
> Iowa Beauty
> Liveland Raspberry
> Mantet
> Melba
> Mollie's Delicious
> Norland
> Oriole
> Quinte
> Redfree
> State Fair
> William's Pride
> Zestar
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Mike
> Zone 5 near Bangor, ME