2019 Introduction

As indicated by Prof. William H. Alderman in his 1938 foreword, this volume of apple variety descriptions of apple varieties grown in Minnesota in the late 1800s was prepared under the direction of Samuel H. Green, the first professor of horticulture at the University of Minnesota from 1888-1910. It contains observations of apple varieties made by John S. Harris, an early orchardist in La Crescent, MN and founding member of the Minnesota State Horticultural Society. Harris grew many varieties available at that time and recorded technical descriptions of the fruit as well as observations of their fruit quality and horticultural performance in southeastern Minnesota. This is likely the most comprehensive listing of apple varieties and seedling selections available in Minnesota during the period. Many are now lost and some are important ancestors to 20th and 21st century varieties.

James Luby
Professor, Fruit Crops Breeding and Genetics
Department of Horticultural Science, University of Minnesota

April 9, 2019