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An excerpt from Beach’s Apples of New York, Volume II:
ALEXANDER.
References, 1. Forsyth, 1824:131. 2. London Hort. Soc. Cat., 1831 No. 10. 3. Kenrick, 1832:65. 4. Floy-Lindley, 1833:11. 5. Mag. Hort., 1:395. 1835. 6. Downing, 1845:79. fig. 7. Thomas, 1849:146. 8. Cole, 1849:118. 9. Emmons, Nat. Hist. N. V., 3:32. 1851. 10. Barry, 1851:282. II. Elliott, 1854:120. 12. Gregg, 1857:41. 13. Hooper, 1857:11. 14. Am. Pom. Soc. Cat., 1862. 15. Warder, 1867:510. 16. Fitz, 1872:152. 17. Leroy, 1873:333. fig. 18. la. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1879:538. 19. Downing, 1881:11 index, app. 20. Hogg, 1884:72. 21. Roach, Montreal Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1886-87:27. 22. Wickson, 1889:244. 23. Lyon, Mich. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1890:288. 24. Bailey, An. Hort., 1892:234. 25. Hoskins, Rural N. Y., 53:278. 1894. 26. Gaucher, 1894: No. 14. col. pl. 27. Dempsey, Ont. Fr. Stas. An. Rpt., 1:24. 1894. 28. Burrill and McCluer,Ill. Sta. Bul., 45:312. 1896. 29. Stinson, Ark. Sta. Bul, 43:102. 1896. 30. Waugh, Vt. Sta. Bul, 61:29. 1897. 31. Can. Hort., 20:283. 1897. 32. Woolverton, Ont. Fr. Stas. An. Rpt., 5:5. 1898. figs. 33. Bunyard, Jour. Roy. Hort. Soc, 1898:354. 34. Craig, Cyclopedia of Amer. Hort., 3:1404. 1901. 35. Hansen, S. D. Sta. Bul, 76:22. 1902. 36. Munson, Me. Sta. Rpt., 1902:83, 85, 86. 37. Budd-Hansen, 1903:36. fig. 38. Powell and Fulton, U. S. B. P. I. Bul, 48:36. 1903. 39. Beach and Clark, N. Y. Sta. Bul, 248:111. 1904. 40. Scriber, Can. Hort.,
28:248. 1905.
Synonyms. Albertin (17, 26). Alexander (i, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 21, 22, 22,, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 2>2, 34. 35, 36, 2,7, 38, 39, 40). Alexander (34, 26). Alexander the First(31). Alexandre (17, 26). Aporta (3, 4, 6, 9, 13, 17, 20, 26, 31). Aporta Nalivia (26). Aubertin (17, 26). Beauty of Queen (17, 26). Belle d'Orleans (17, 26). Comte Woronzoff (17, 26). Corail (17, 26). English King (19, 26). Empereur Alexandre I (17, 26). Empereur Alexandre de Russie (17, 26). Empereur de Russie (17,26). Emperor Alexander (3, 4, 20, 33). Emperor Alexander (2, 6, 9, 10, II, 13, 26, 32). Fin d'Automne (17, 26). Grand Alexander (26). Grand- Alexandre (17). Grand Alexandre (26). Gros-Alexandre (17, 26). Jolly Gentleman (26). Kaiser Alexander (26). Korallen Apfel (26). Phoenix (26). Phönix (17, 26). Pomona Britannica (17, 26). President Napoleon (17, 26). Russian Emperor (2, 6, 9, 13, 20, 26). Stoke Tulip (26). Wolf River incorrectly (39). Wunderapfel (26).
Alexander is a typical representative of the class of Russian apples commonly known as the Aport group. Fruit very large, attractive red or striped, coarse in texture, medium to good in quality, suitable for culinary rather than for dessert use. The fruit is apt to crack and decay about the stem and calyx and often becomes discolored where it is chafed by constantly rubbing against some twig or branch; there is also a considerable loss from premature dropping of the fruit. Notwithstanding these faults many fruit growers now regard Alexander favorably as a commercial variety as in some markets there is a strong demand for the fruit at good prices. It is being used to some extent for ex- port trade (40). Its season begins in September and extends through October or into November. It may be held in cold storage till November. It goes down quickly and as it does not stand heat well before going into storage it should be shipped the day it is picked and under ice (39). As it ripens continuously during a period of from four to six weeks it should have more than one picking. The tree is hardy, vigorous and moderately productive. In some localities it is subject to blight. It can be recommended for planting in commercial orchards to a limited extent. In the West it is now largely supplanted by its Wisconsin seedling Wolf River (34, 36).
Historical. Introduced into England from Russia in 1817 (20). The exact date of the introduction of this variety into America is not known. The Massachusetts Horticultural Society made several importations of European varieties which were distributed among the members of the society. Mr. Manning exhibited what was supposed to be Alexander before the Massachusetts Horticultural Society at its meeting on September 18, 1830. Whether this was Alexander or not, the shipment of varieties of which Alexander was one had evidently been made prior to that date.
It has been widely disseminated and is now pretty well known in the apple growing districts from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Thus far it has not been grown to any considerable extent in New York state but at the present time its cultivation is on the increase.
Tree large to medium, vigorous to moderately vigorous with long, stout branches. Form upright spreading to roundish, open and somewhat inclined to droop after bearing heavy crops. Twigs short, curved, stout with large terminal buds ; internodes medium. Bark brown mingled with olive-green, lightly streaked with scarf-skin; slightly pubescent near tips. Lenticels scattering, medium in size, oval, raised. Buds medium in size, plump, obtuse, free, slightly pubescent.
Fruit large, uniform in size and shape. Form roundish conic to slightly oblate conic, regular or approaching broadly angular, symmetrical. Stem medium to rather short, moderately thick. Cavity acute to acuminate, deep, broad, symmetrical, occasionally lipped, russeted, often with broad, conspicuous, outspreading russet rays. Calyx. medium to large, usually open lobes medium to short, rather narrow, acute. Basin rather small, deep, narrow to nearly medium in width, abrupt, nearly smooth, symmetrical.
Skin moderately thick, tough, smooth, glossy, somewhat waxy, greenish or pale yellow deepening to orange-yellow in the sun, often entirely over- spread with lively red or handsomely striped and splashed with bright car- mine. Dots inconspicuous, small, scattering. Prevailing effect red or striped.
Calyx tube variable, long to short, wide to medium, conical to funnel- shape. Stamens median to basal.
Core small, usually axile; cells often not uniformly developed, closed or very slightly open ; core lines slightly clasping. Carpels elliptical to slightly ovate, emarginate. Seeds medium in size, wide, short, rather plump, obtuse to acute.
Flesh nearly white with faint yellow tinge, firm, coarse, moderate!}- crisp, tender, juicy, mild subacid, fair to good.
Season September and October or early November.
Beach, S.A. The Apples of New York, Volume II. J.B. Lyon Company, 1905