Harrison Cider Apple
Encyclopedia
The Harrison Cider Apple is one of the most famous 18th century American cider
apples. Grown in New Jersey
before and after the American Revolution
, it became obsolete by the 20th century. The Harrison Cider Apple was considered lost until it was recovered in Livingston, New Jersey
at an old cider mill in September 1976.
to publish an illustrated book on the already enormous variety of fruits being grown in North America
following the American Revolution
, described the Harrison Cider Apple in 1817:
The breeding stock for apples, pears, cherries, plums, and peaches that has become the source of contemporary pome fruits in North America was set in place and fully described in Coxe's book. While most of these fruit varieties or their parents arrived from Europe, Coxe advocated growing the new American varieties derived from the European ones, since they showed themselves to be better adapted to the American climate and soils.
When S.A. Beach wrote "The Apples of New York" in 1905, no mention of the Harrison was made, as it had slipped into obsolescence
by the 20th century. The chief cause of this obsolescence was the growing momentum of the temperance movement
throughout the United States
, beginning in the 1820s.
went in search of the Harrison and Campfield Cider Apples in the neighborhood of Orange Mountain in Essex County, New Jersey
that Coxe had written about in 1817. On September 25, he discovered an old cider mill in Livingston, New Jersey. The owner had a Harrison apple tree in his backyard, which, according to the owner, had been planted by his grandfather at the turn of the century. This tree was about to be cut down to make room for an expanding vegetable garden; and it was cut down less than one week later. The tree was full of small yellow apples matching Coxe's description. The suckers Coxe had described were also present. Scions
were cut and stored for the winter. In the spring of 1977, dozens of Alnarp #2 seedling rootstocks were grafted with the Harrison Cider Apple.
In 1980, the recent recovery of the Harrison and Campfield Cider Apples in Livingston and Roseland, New Jersey
was shared with Lew Nichols and Annie Proulx in Vershire, Vermont . Dr.Elwood Fisher, the late professor of biology at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia
was also given scions of the Harrison[from Livingston,N.J.(1976)] and Campfield [from Roseland,N.J.(1978)] cider apples in December 1980. Dr. Fisher was considered `at that time to be the most well known heirloom apple variety collector.
In the fall of 1989, trees, fruit, and scions of the Harrison Cider Apple, from the 1976 Livingston, New Jersey discovery, were sent from Vermont to Thomas Burford of Virginia
, a respected nurseryman, expert on heirloom
apples.After 17 years passed by, he announced the rediscovery of the Harrison Cider Apple.
Subsequently, the Harrison Cider Apple has become widely available.
Cider
Cider or cyder is a fermented alcoholic beverage made from apple juice. Cider varies in alcohol content from 2% abv to 8.5% abv or more in traditional English ciders. In some regions, such as Germany and America, cider may be termed "apple wine"...
apples. Grown in New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
before and after the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
, it became obsolete by the 20th century. The Harrison Cider Apple was considered lost until it was recovered in Livingston, New Jersey
Livingston, New Jersey
Livingston is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 29,366.Livingston was incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 5, 1813, from portions of Caldwell Township and Springfield...
at an old cider mill in September 1976.
Historical description
William Coxe, the first AmericanPeople of the United States
The people of the United States, also known as simply Americans or American people, are the inhabitants or citizens of the United States. The United States is a multi-ethnic nation, home to people of different ethnic and national backgrounds...
to publish an illustrated book on the already enormous variety of fruits being grown in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
following the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
, described the Harrison Cider Apple in 1817:
This is the most celebrated of the cider apples of Newark in New-
Jersey : it is cultivated in high perfection, and to a great extent in
that neighbourhood, particularly on the Orange mountain; the shape is
rather long, and pointed towards the crown - the stalk long; hence often called the long stem- the ends are deeply
hollowed; the skin is yellow,with many black spots,which gives a rough-ness to the touch: the flesh is rich, yellow, firm and tough;
the taste pleasant and sprightly, but rather dry - it produces a high
coloured, rich, and sweet cider of great strength, commanding a high
price in New York, frequently ten dollars and upwards per barrel when
fined for bottling. The trees are certain bearers; the apples fall about
the first of November; they are below middling size, and remarkably free
from rot; ripen at that time, but will keep well when housed. The tree is
of strong and vigorous growth, throwing out numerous suckers from the
limbs- the wood is hard...it obtained its name from a family in Essex
County New-Jersey, where it originated, and is very extensively
cultivated.
The breeding stock for apples, pears, cherries, plums, and peaches that has become the source of contemporary pome fruits in North America was set in place and fully described in Coxe's book. While most of these fruit varieties or their parents arrived from Europe, Coxe advocated growing the new American varieties derived from the European ones, since they showed themselves to be better adapted to the American climate and soils.
When S.A. Beach wrote "The Apples of New York" in 1905, no mention of the Harrison was made, as it had slipped into obsolescence
Obsolescence
Obsolescence is the state of being which occurs when an object, service or practice is no longer wanted even though it may still be in good working order. Obsolescence frequently occurs because a replacement has become available that is superior in one or more aspects. Obsolete refers to something...
by the 20th century. The chief cause of this obsolescence was the growing momentum of the temperance movement
Temperance movement
A temperance movement is a social movement urging reduced use of alcoholic beverages. Temperance movements may criticize excessive alcohol use, promote complete abstinence , or pressure the government to enact anti-alcohol legislation or complete prohibition of alcohol.-Temperance movement by...
throughout the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, beginning in the 1820s.
Contemporary history
In September 1976, a fruit variety collector from VermontVermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
went in search of the Harrison and Campfield Cider Apples in the neighborhood of Orange Mountain in Essex County, New Jersey
Essex County, New Jersey
Essex County is a county located in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the United States 2010 Census, the population was 783,969, ranking it third in the state after Bergen County and Middlesex County; Essex County's population has declined from 786,147 as of the bureau's...
that Coxe had written about in 1817. On September 25, he discovered an old cider mill in Livingston, New Jersey. The owner had a Harrison apple tree in his backyard, which, according to the owner, had been planted by his grandfather at the turn of the century. This tree was about to be cut down to make room for an expanding vegetable garden; and it was cut down less than one week later. The tree was full of small yellow apples matching Coxe's description. The suckers Coxe had described were also present. Scions
Grafting
Grafting is a horticultural technique whereby tissues from one plant are inserted into those of another so that the two sets of vascular tissues may join together. This vascular joining is called inosculation...
were cut and stored for the winter. In the spring of 1977, dozens of Alnarp #2 seedling rootstocks were grafted with the Harrison Cider Apple.
In 1980, the recent recovery of the Harrison and Campfield Cider Apples in Livingston and Roseland, New Jersey
Roseland, New Jersey
Roseland is a borough in western Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 5,819...
was shared with Lew Nichols and Annie Proulx in Vershire, Vermont . Dr.Elwood Fisher, the late professor of biology at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia
Harrisonburg, Virginia
Harrisonburg is an independent city in the Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia in the United States. Its population as of 2010 is 48,914, and at the 2000 census, 40,468. Harrisonburg is the county seat of Rockingham County and the core city of the Harrisonburg, Virginia Metropolitan Statistical...
was also given scions of the Harrison[from Livingston,N.J.(1976)] and Campfield [from Roseland,N.J.(1978)] cider apples in December 1980. Dr. Fisher was considered `at that time to be the most well known heirloom apple variety collector.
In the fall of 1989, trees, fruit, and scions of the Harrison Cider Apple, from the 1976 Livingston, New Jersey discovery, were sent from Vermont to Thomas Burford of Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, a respected nurseryman, expert on heirloom
Heirloom
In popular usage, an heirloom is something, perhaps an antique or some kind of jewelry, that has been passed down for generations through family members....
apples.After 17 years passed by, he announced the rediscovery of the Harrison Cider Apple.
Subsequently, the Harrison Cider Apple has become widely available.