REFERENCES. 1. M'Mahon, 1806:585. 2. Coxe, 1817, 120. fig. 3, Thacher, 1822:121. 4. Buel, N.Y. Bd. Agr. Mem., 1826:476. 5. Fessenden, 1828:130, 6. Wilson, 1828:136. 7. Cat. Hort, Soc. London, 1831: No. 75. 8. Kenrick, 183; 42.  9. Floy-Lindley, 1833:86. 10. Mag. Hort., 1:326, 78. 1835. 11. Manning, 1838:60, 12. Ib., Mag. Hort., 7:51. 1841. 13. Downing, 1845:100. fig. 14. Horticulturist,:482. 1846. 15. Ib. 2:361, 482, 545. 1848. 16. Cole, 1849:119. fig.  17. Thomas, 1849:187. 18. Phoenix, Horticulturist, 4:472. 1850. 19. Emmons, Nat. Hist. N.Y., 3:79. 1851. col. pl. No. 46 and fig. 20. Am. Pom. Soc. Cat., 1852.  21. Hovey, Mag. Hort. 18:542. 1852. fig. 22. Ib., 19:244. 1853. 23. Biedenfeld, 1854:102. 24. Elliott, 1854:70. fig. 25. Hooper, 1857:16, 103, 106, 108. col. pl. 26. Gregg, 1857:50. fig. 27. Flotow, 1:69. 1859. 28. Oberdieck, 4:197. 1862, 29. Warder, 1867:602. fig. 30. Regel, 868:442. 31. Fitz, 1872:143, 145, 163. 32. Mas, LeVerger, 1873:151. 33. Leroy, 1873:432. 34. Lauche, 1: No. 3. 1882. col. pl. 35. Barry, 1883:358. 36. Rural N. Y., 47:749. 1888. 37. Cat. Cong. Pom. France, 1889:278. 38. Wickson, 1889:247. 39. Lyon, Mich. Hort. Soc. Rpt, 1890:300. 40. Bailey, An. Hort. 1892:235. 41. Ib. 1892:253. 42. Bredsted, 1893:405. 43. Gaucher, 1894: No. 6. col. pl.  44. Waugh, Vt. Sta. An. Rpt, 14:313. 1901. 45. Eneroth-Smirnoff, 1901:266. 46. Sears, Can. Hort, 25:325. 1902, 47. Budd-Hansen, 1903:210. fig. 48. Farrand, Mich. Sta. Bul., 205:43. 1903. 49. Powell and Fulton, U. S. B. P.I. Bul., 48:62. 1903. 50. Beach and Clark, N. Y. Sta. Bul., 248:151. 1904.  [51. Big Horse Creek Farm.]

SYNONYMS.  BELLE FLAVOISE (28). Belle Flavoise (33, 43). BELLFLOUR JAUNE (32, 37). Belle-Fleur (33). Belle-Flower (33). BELLE-FLOWER (2). BELL FLOWER (9). BELL FLOWER (3). BELLFLOWER (4,6,8, 11, 21, 24,40). Bellflower (13, 17, 25 43, 49). Bell-Flower (5). Bishop's Pippin of Nova Scotia (33). GELBER BELLEFLEUR (23, 27, 34, 43, 45). Gelber Bellefleur (28). Gelber Belle Fleur (33, 43). Gelber Englischer Schonbluhender (43) GUL. BELLEFLEUR (42). Lady Washington (24, 33, 43). Lincoln Pippin (43).  Lineous Pippin (43). LINNEOUS PIPPIN (33). Metzgerapfel (43). Metzger Calvill (28). Metzger's Calvill (33, 43, of John 34). YELLOW BELLE FLEUR (7, 13). YELLOW BELLEFLEUR (19, 20, 31). Yellow Bellefleur (17, 21, 24, 33, 43). Yellow Belleflower (46). Yellow Bellflower (8, 13, 21, 24, 33, 40, 43).  Warren Pippin (33, 43). Weisser Metzgerapfel (43).  Fall Bellflower (51).  Bishop Pippin (51).  Mrs. Barron (51).  Sheepnose (51).  Yellow Sheepnose (51).

   Yellow Bellflower grows large or even very large, but usually it is so variable in size that the marketable grades are not very uniform and there is a relatively large percentage of apples that are too small for market. It is decidedly attractive in color for a yellow apple and the color improves in storage, becoming more clearly yellow as the fruit matures. It is well known throughout the state and is generally highly esteemed for culinary uses and also for its excellent dessert qualities, although it is rather too briskly subacid to suit the tastes of some, particularly during the early part of its season. It does not reach its best condition for dessert use till January or later, when its acidity becomes somewhat subdued. It is quite susceptible to injury by the apple-scab fungus. It must be handled very carefully because it very easily shows bruises. It does not stand heat well before going into storage and when it begins to deteriorate goes down quickly. Some do not regard it as a good keeper, while others find that it keeps pretty well. To get best results in storage the fruit must be thoroughly protected from the scab in the orchard, picked and handled with extra care and kept from heat from the time it is picked till it is stored as well as while it is in storage. As grown at Geneva it is in season from December to April with January or February as the commercial limit. In cold storage it keeps about with Tompkins King, but not as well as Rhode Island Greening.
   The tree is a good grower and pretty hardy. In favorable locations it is healthy and long-lived. It seems to thrive particularly well on warm, well-drained soils. Many orchards are found throughout the state having from one to several trees of this variety and the aggregate yield of Yellow Bellflower in New York is of considerable importance. The surplus over what is required for home use is commonly disposed of in the local market. Although the fruit sells at good prices, Yellow Bellflower is not generally a satisfactory cropper and is not a good variety to plant in commercial orchards in New York except in the few districts where it has proved profitable.

   Historical.  In 1817 Coxe (2) reported that the original tree, very large and old, was said to be still standing on a farm near Crosswicks, Burlington county, N. J. In 1852 Hovey (21) remarked that the Bellflower was then extensively cultivated in New Jersey, but its cultivation in New England was as yet extremely limited. A century or more ago it was being grafted into the farm orchards and propagated in the nurseries throughout New York, and it is to-day well known among fruit growers in most parts of the state but it is nowhere extensively cultivated. It was early introduced into cultivation through the Middle West and within recent years it has come to be one of the important commercial varieties in certain apple-growing districts in the Pacific states. Wickson says that “The Yellow Bellflower, as grown in California, has such conspicuous excellence that during its season it is hardly likely to be misplaced for any other variety.”13 It is now offered by nurserymen in nearly all of the more important apple-growing sections of the country.

TREE.
Tree medium to large, vigorous to very vigorous. Form upright spreading; laterals drooping, particularly after they have borne heavy crops. Twigs medium to long, rather stocky, geniculate; internodes medium to large. Bark dull brownish-red with shades of green, uniformly overlaid with moderately thick scarf-skin; more or less pubescent. Lenticels rather inconspicuous, above medium in size, roundish to elliptical, rather numerous, dull, not raised. Buds above medium to large, rather prominent, acute to roundish acute, free or nearly so, quite pubescent.

FRUIT.
Fruit variable in size, small to large or very large. Form roundish oblong narrowing toward the basin varying to oblong conic, frequently somewhat ovate, irregularly elliptical and more or less ribbed, often with prominent ridges at the apex; sides usually unequal. Stem medium to rather long, rather slender to moderately stout. Cavity medium to large, acute to acuminate, deep to very deep, moderately narrow to wide, furrowed, sometimes compressed, sometimes lipped, usually with outspreading broken rays of brownish-russet. Calyx below medium to above, closed or partly so; lobes narrow, acuminate, pubescent. Basin small, oblique, abrupt, narrow, shallow to rather deep, distinctly ridged and wrinkled.
Skin smooth, bright, pale lemon-yellow varying to whitish in the shade and often with a shade of brownish-red in the sun which in highly colored specimens deepens to a pinkish-red blush. Dots whitish or russet, numerous and small toward the basin, larger, irregular and scattering toward the cavity.
Prevailing effect bright pale yellow.
Calyx tube yellowish, elongated funnel-shape, sometimes extending to the core. Stamens median to basal.
Core large, long, remarkably abaxile; cells sometimes unsymmetrical, wide open or partly closed; core lines clasping the funnel cylinder. Carpels long, narrow, roundish obovate, much concave, much tufted. Seeds large, long, obtuse to acute.
Flesh whitish tinged with pale yellow, firm, crisp, moderately fine-grained, rather tender, juicy, aromatic, very good for culinary use, rather too acid for dessert early in the season but later its acidity becomes somewhat subdued.

FRUIT.
   Fruit: As grown at this Station the fruit is medium to rather large.
Form oblate conic to roundish conic, somewhat ribbed
Stem (Pedicel) short, slender
Cavity acuminate, moderately wide, rather deep, usually russeted
Calyx small, open
Basin narrow, moderately deep to deep, abrupt, wrinkled.
Skin light yellow usually with a dull red blush
Dots dots numerous, small, russet
Calyx tube conical
Stamens median.
Core medium to small; cells partly open; core lines clasping.
Carpels broadly roundish, emarginate, somewhat tufted.
Flesh whitish, somewhat tinged with yellow, moderately fine, tender, juicy, breaking, subacid, fair to good
Season October and November.
The tree is below medium size, a rather slow grower with spreading top. It comes into bearing moderately early and yields good crops biennially.

REFERENCES.  1. Mag. Hort., 19:210. 1853. 2. Horticulturist, 8:342. 1853.  3. Elliott, 1854:166. 4. Downing, 1857:206. 5. Warder, 1867:693. 6. Am. Pom. Soc. Cat., 1871:10. 7. Fitz, 1872:143. 8 Thomas, 1875:517.. 9. Rural N. Y., 46:404. 1887. 10. Clark, Mo. Sta. Bul., 6:8. 1889. 11. Stayman, Amer. Gard., 11:272. 1800. fig. 12. Van Deman, U. S. Pom. Rpt., 1891:380. col. pl.  13. Bailey, An. Hort., 1892:253. 14. N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt., 13:502. 1804. 15. Stinson, Ark. Sta. Bul., 43:104. 1805. 16. Can. Hort., 19:84, 343. 1806. fig. and col. pl.  17. Rural N. Y., 5:1, 190. 1806. 18. Wright, Amer. Gard., 17:33. 1896. 19. Powell, Del. Sta. Bul., 38:20. 1808. 20. Taylor, U. S. Pom. Bul., 7:361. 1808. 21. Massey, N.C. Sta. Bul., 149:318 1808. 22, Rural N. Y., 57:164, 178, 239. 1808, 23. Taft and Lyon, Mich. Sta. Bul., 169:102. 1809. 24. Amer. Gard., 20:340. 1899. 25. Bruner, N. C. Sta. Bul., 21:130. 1900. col. pl.  26. Amer. Gard., 21:76, 372. 1900. 27. Can. Hort., 23:75, 249, 414. 1900. 28. Beach, Western N. Y. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1900:37. 29. Rural N. Y., 59:450. 1900, 30. Brackett, Amer. Gard., 22:190. 1901.  31. Alwood, Va. Sta. Bul.., 130:142. 1901. fig. of tree. 32. Rural N.Y.,60:68, 406, 470. 1901. 33. Stewart, Md. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1901:73. 34. Munson, Me. Sta. Rpt., 1902:91. 35 Dickens and Greene, Kan. Sta. Bul., 108:56. 1902. 36. Stinson, Mo. Fr. Sta. Bul., 3:27. 1902, 37. Powell and Fulton, U. S. B. P.I. Bul., 48:62, 1903. 38. Budd-Hansen, 1903:213. fig. 39. Bruner, N. C. Sta. Bul., 182:27. 1903. figs. 40. Beach and Clark, N. Y. Sta. Bul., 248:152. 1904.[  41.  Burford, Tom. 2013. Apples of North America. ISBN 978-1-60469-249-5.  pp. 95 & 209.  42. Big Horse Creek Farm.]

SYNONYMS.  Johnson's Fine Winter (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 12, 16, 20, 21, 24, 25,28, 31, 37, 38, 30, 40).[  York (42, erroneously).  Shep (42).]

   York Imperial is an important apple which is grown commercially in the Middle Atlantic states and over a belt of country extending from these states westward into Missouri and Kansas. The tree is a thrifty, vigorous grower and a pretty regular annual or biennial bearer. It seems to prefer rather heavy clay soils and seldom does well on soils that are light or in any way thin or leachy.
When properly developed the fruit is large, finely colored and of good quality. There are some objections to it on account of the shape of the fruit, which is oblique or lopsided, and consequently difficult to pare with a machine. Storage men give its season in cellar storage as extending to December and in cold storage to February. It stands heat fairly well before going into storage, but often scalds badly and when it begins to deteriorate goes down rather quickly. As grown at this Station the fruit comes in season in January and keeps well in ordinary storage till April or May if it does not scald. Its commercial limit is March. When grown as far north as this the fruit is deficient in color, size and quality. The reports from the growers in this state are generally adverse to its culture here and it is not recommended for planting in New York except perhaps in the southeastern part of the state.

   Historical.  The following excellent historical account of the York Imperial is given by Taylor (20). “The variety bearing this name originated early in the present century on a farm adjoining the then borough of York, Pa. The attention of the owner, a Mr. Johnson, was attracted to the tree by the presence of schoolboys who visited it in early spring to get the apples that had passed the winter on the ground, covered by leaves. On securing some of the fruit he found it in fine condition, and when the next crop was ripe took specimens to Mr. Jonathan Jessop, a local nurseryman, who began the propagation of the variety before 1830, under the name 'Johnson's Fine Winter,' Under this name it was known until after the middle of the century, when, after an inspection of specimens, the late Charles Downing pronounced it the 'imperial of keepers' and suggested that it be named 'York Imperial.' Mr. Jessop did not find ready sale for trees of the variety at first, and dumped the surplus trees from his nursery into a hollow beside the turnpike passing his place. They were picked up by farmers returning from market and taken home for planting on their farms in the lower end of York county. After its merit as a variety for market orchards was established, it became widely distributed throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, and soon became a leading market variety in those States. So far as known, the variety was first described in print by Dr. W. D. Brincklé in 1853.
“Warder states that specimens of it were exhibited at the meeting of the Ohio State Pomological Society in 1855, but it does not seem to have become generally popular west of the Alleghany Mountains until a comparatively recent date. Since about 1880 it has been widely disseminated through the Middle Western States and has become one of the leading market varieties of that region.”

TREE.
Tree vigorous or moderately vigorous. Form upright spreading or roundish, rather dense. Twigs short to above medium, straight or nearly so, stout or moderately stout and tapering at the tips; internodes medium. to long.
Bark dull brownish-red streaked and mottled with scarf-skin, quite pubescent.
Lenticels dull, moderately conspicuous, rather scattering, small to medium, roundish, not raised. Buds deeply set in bark, small to medium, plump, obtuse to somewhat acute, appressed except the largest which are free, pubescent.
[Diseases:  Within the exact same book, though it acknowledges that 'Johnson's Fine Winter' and 'York Imperial' are the same apple, gives differing disease susceptibilities (and other characteristics). -ASC On page 95, it is described as, "moderately resistant to the major diseases", whereas page 209, it says it is susceptible to fireblight, cedar apple rust and corking, while being somewhat resistant to scab and powdery mildew (41). From what I know from other Southern apple growers, I believe the latter description.]

FRUIT.
Fruit pretty uniform in size and shape. When it is well grown it varies from above medium to large, but in many parts of the state when the trees become mature the fruit usually averages below medium to small. Form roundish oblate or truncate, usually with an oblique axis. Stem short. Cavity medium to rather large, acuminate to acute, deep, medium to rather broad, often gently furrowed, smooth and green or partly russeted. Calyx small to medium, closed or sometimes partly open. Basin rather large, abrupt, deep or moderately deep, wide to medium, often slightly furrowed.
Skin tough, bright, smooth, green or yellow blushed with moderately light red or pinkish-red and indistinctly striped with carmine. Dots pale or russet, often conspicuous, rather numerous toward the eye, scattering, very large and elongated toward the cavity where they are often mingled with narrow, broken streaks of grayish scarf-skin.
Calyx tube elongated cone-shape to funnel-form. Stamens median to marginal.
Core medium to rather small, axile or nearly so; cells usually symmetrical, closed or partly open; core lines slightly clasping. Carpels broadly roundish, slightly emarginate, sometimes tufted. Seeds few, rather dark, wide, flat, obtuse, compactly filling the cells; often some are abortive.
Flesh yellowish, firm, crisp, somewhat breaking, a little coarse, moderately tender, moderately juicy, at first sprightly subacid but becoming mild subacid or nearly sweet, somewhat aromatic, good to very good.  [Also useful for applesauce (though surprisingly that application is not mentioned in the reference I'm about to cite- ASC), baking, pies, apple butter, cider and drying (41).]
[Season:  Ripens in late fall in Virginia and is an excellent keeper, retaining its flavor for an extended period (41).]