From: Larry DesCombes Date: Fri, 05 Feb 1999 12:55:56 -0600 To: atman@ecst.csuchico.edu Subject: RE; OLD TIME JENNYTON APPLE TREE11111 Dear Sir: I have on my farm two apple trees that may be a nearly lost variety. Between 20-30 years ago I became aware that a neighbor's large and old apple tree was soon to be destroyed. As a child, I had eaten many apples from that tree and really enjoyed them. He had told me that the tree was an Old-time Jennyton and that he had not heard of or seen another. Thats the way I remember the name to have been pronounced. For some reason, I thought it would an interesting project to try to have an apple tree like that one in my yard. I had never done any grafting before, but ordered crab apple grafting roots and managed to save 4 or 5 of the grafts. The fruit is quite firm and non-lobed. The skin is dark red with a small amount of pea-green coloring at each end. When I was pruning the tree the fruits were quite large. The taste is winesapish, yet with a different sweetness. Overall the taste is tart. I have occasionally talken with older people in my area and some fruit hucksters. Two or three said they had heard of that apple but couldn't tell me anything. One apple farmer said he thought he would have information, but soon called and said he didn't, but certainly had heard of it. At any rate, I have these trees and they are getting older as am I. If you are interested in these trees or a graft or know someone who might be, I would be happy to share. My location is west-central Missouri. Respectfully, Larry DesCombes, 257 SE 1300, Leeton, Mo. 64761, 660-653-4485 **************** More information about the Oldtime Jennyton from Larry: These apples are "winter apples". They keep quite well in the refrigerator crisper. Also they store well in our garage, which is unheated but attached, on a tarp. Put wheat straw down on half of the tarp, and place the apples on the straw so they are suspended, then cover apples with more straw and fold the tarp over. I generally pick my apples during the frost season or after a very light freeze, but not later. The stored apples do sweeten up a bit after being stored for a time, but do mana ge to stay firm and not mealy until late in the winter which is a feature I really like. I really feel that you will be quite enthusiastic about this apple once you taste it. It is different.