Ralls Janet
| Malus domestica | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Species | Malus domestica |
| Cultivar | Ralls Janet |
| Marketing names |
|
| Origin |  Amherst County, Virginia, 1785 |
Ralls Janet is a cultivated variety or cultivar of apple also known by many other names.[1] It has been used extensively in modern apple breeding, and has several commercially important offspring,[1] notably the Fuji.[2]: 77 It was grown by Thomas Jefferson, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, at his primary residence, Monticello.[3] It should not be confused with a largely red apple named Ralls found in New England and the Upper Midwestern United States.[4]: 147
The origins of the Ralls Janet remains unclear. Its namesake is reportedly Edmond-Charles Genet, a French minister who gave cuttings to Jefferson, who then passed them on to Virginia nurseryman Caleb Ralls.[5] Another possibility is that Jefferson received this variety from a local nurseryman named Ralls, who lived across the James River from his summer home, Poplar Forest.[4]: 147 In 1871, Dr. William Howsley reported that Caleb Rawles [sic] introduced the variety in 1795 as the Genet Apple.[6]
The Ralls Janet is a medium variety with oblate geometry. It has greenish yellow skin, which is mottled and streaked with shades of red and pink. There may be some russetting near the stem.[4]: 147 It blooms comparatively late, making it known as the Neverfail in central Virginia.[4]: 147
The Ralls Janet has dense, crisp, and yellowish flesh, a tart-sweet flavor, and a sweet aroma when cut. It is suitable for dessert and for making apple pie, apple butter, and apple cider.[4]: 147
This variety is highly susceptible to blossom fireblight and somewhat vulnerable to apple scab and bitter rot. But it is highly resistant to collar rot.[4]: 147
References
[edit]
- 1 2 "Ralls Janet", National Fruit Collection, University of Reading and Brogdale Collections, retrieved 18 October 2015
- ↑ Mikolajski, Andrew (2012). The Illustrated World Encyclopedia of Apples. Lorenz Books. ISBN 978-0-7548-2066-6.
- ↑ Hatch, Peter J. (1998). The Fruits and Fruit Trees of Monticello. United States: University of Virginia. ISBN 0-8139-1746-8.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Burford, Tom (2013). Apples of North America: 192 Exceptional Varieties for Gardeners, Growers, and Cooks. Portland, Oregon: Timber Press, Inc. ISBN 978-1-60469-249-5.
- ↑ Beach, S.A.; Booth, N.O.; Taylor, O.M. (1905), "Ralls", The apples of New York, vol. 1, Albany: J. B. Lyon, pp. 270–272
- ↑ William Howsley (1871). "Report of Dr. Howsley on Nomenclature of Apples". Proceedings of the 13th Session of the American Pomological Society.
External links
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Apples grown at Monticello by Thomas Jefferson | ||
|---|---|---|
| Principal table apples |  | |
| Principal cider apples | ||
| 18 other apples grown | ||
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