It has always been my understanding that Yellow Newtown originated on
Long Island in New York, and that when extensive cultivation of the
variety began in Virginia in the 1700's, it was simply given a new name.
Albemarle is the name of a Virginia County, which has its seat in
Charlottesville, but I have never heard that Albemarle County claims to
have originated this apple. The story goes that it then became the most
popular export apple to England, because of its high quality and ability
to withstand the rigors of long sea voyages without much deterioration.
It does keep very well.
For Sam Franc:
No disagreement that Empire is subject to bullseye, or certainly some
type of rot. So are several others of my apple varieties, and I have
never been able to figure out what to do about it. This season I added
calcium (2 oz/gal) and lime/sulphur 3/4 oz/gal) to the spray mix, and
that seems to have helped a little, but it's no cure. Cox's Orange is
also very sensitive to this type of rot. If I get the apples down in
time, just when ripe, and into the cooler, it seems to stop it. Other
than that, Empire holds up well and suffers less insect damage than many
other varieties in this climate. And Empire is a heavy, annual cropper
for me; never takes a year off. But I repeat my observation that
Spartan, which does not seem to be commonly grown in the Mid-Atlantic
region, seems to have better flavor than Empire.
Have you ever found anything effective against bullseye rot on apples?
Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA
[NAFEX] Albemarle Pippin & Empire,
Don Yellman, 09/16/2002