FRUIT

Apple Trees

Knox ordered large quantities of many varieties of apple trees. Three kinds that he ordered were Newton Pippin, Spitzenberg and Red Streak. These three are some of the oldest varieties found in America. ¹

Newton Pippin

Newton Pippin Apples were developed in New York in the beginning of the 18th century. They have a green to yellow color, and are the best for cooking and baking because they are flavorful and hold their shape well. They are used commonly in apple pies and applesauce. ²

Spitzenberg

The Spitzenberg apple was developed in the 18th Century in New York. It is a large, orange to red, colored apple, great for eating or making pies. This variety was one of Thomas Jefferson's favorite apples. ³

Apricots

Apricots were used as ornamental because they have handsome leaves and flowers. They are usually grown where ever peaches are grown. Knox ordered apricots, although they were not that popular in the North. Apricots are hard to grow outside of California because they are sensitive and do not do well in colder climates. ⁴

Cherry Trees

Cherries can grow anywhere, even in cold environments. There are two species known to America. The cherry tree peaks around June in America and is usually the first fruit tree to ripen. They have very beautiful flowers. ⁵

Currant Bushes

There are red, pink, white and black currants. Their leaves are pale green to deep blue green depending on the species. The flowers are joined together to give the bush a lacy texture and the berries form in a chain. Currants are best used in jellies, but also found in sauces and pies. The red and white species are mostly used in making jelly, preserves, syrups and wine. ⁶

Gooseberry Bushes

Gooseberries come in American and European species. They are close relatives to currants. The flowers are green with pink petals and open early in spring. The berries come in a variety of colors, including: green, white, yellow, and shades of red, from pink to purple to black. ⁷

Grapes

Knox ordered grapes to be planted on his estate as well as sweet water grapes. There are two types of grapes native to the North East, they are vitis labrusca and vitis riparia. Grapes can be eaten raw or commonly used for making jams, jellies, juice, and wines. ⁸

Peach Trees

Knox ordered many peach trees. In one example of his order of peach trees he orders peach trees that are "inoculated or grafted of the best soil and of a variety" and another order has Knox ordering peaches of an assortment that ripen in September. Some varieties that we know Knox ordered were Adminable, Chancellor, Nobles and Perspan Peaches. He also ordered Newington and Pine Apple Clingstone Peaches. ⁹

Clingstone

Clingstone Peaches get their name because the flesh of the fruit clings to the pit or stone. The flesh can be yellow or white with pink or red near the pit. They are soft, sweet and juicy, and are usually used for jellies, jams, and canning. Knox ordered a variety called Pine Apple Clingstone. ¹⁰

Newington

Newington Peaches were used to make peach brandy, which was a staple in the 18th Century. ¹¹

Pear Trees

There were only four pears under cultivation in 1800. They were Barlett, Seckel, Tyson and White Doyenne. The Barlett and Seckel were the most commonly planted varieties.

Plumb Trees

There are three kinds of plums. The fruit is sweet and juicy and can be eaten fresh or used in jam or other recipes. They come in a wide variety of colors and sizes and are covered in a wax like substance. ¹²

Quince

In History of Horticulture, Hedrick says that Quince trees were more commonly planted than apple and pear trees. They are easy to grow, doing well in cold places, and are rich in color, ranging from deep crimson and scarlet, to cherry and salmon red, all the way to pink and pure white. They are very beautiful when flowering. ¹³

Strawberries

History of Horticulture lists four kinds of strawberries available when Knox would have been purchasing his. They are the Hautboy, the Chili, the Redwood, and the Hudson. Knox purchased both the Hautboy and the Hudson. He also ordered his gardener to gather wild strawberries to be planted on his estate.

Hautboy Strawberries

Hautboy Strawberries were from England.

Hudson Strawberries

Knox order large Hudson strawberry plants. In 1780, Hudson was the name of the first strawberry hybrid in America. ¹⁴

Otaheites Strawberries

There is no description that I can find of what Knox meant by an Otaheite Strawberry. They presumably do not exist. There are Otaheite Gooseberries, Otaheite Apples and Otaheite Oranges. It is possible that Knox was talking about one of these and not knowing the correct term for it called it a type of Strawberry. Back in the 18-19th century, one fruit could possibly have more than one name, especially if it was not well known. Otaheite Gooseberries, though the fruit is pale yellow to white, turn a ruby red color and produce a jelly when cooked with sugar, which may resemble strawberry jelly. ¹⁵

Wild Strawberries

Wild Strawberries look similar to regular strawberries, with dark leaves and white five peteled flowers with a yellow center. They are an easy to grow perennial, great when used as an edging plant or for ground cover. The fruit is very tiny yet very fragrant, and grow from spring until fall. ¹⁶

Wild Raspberries

Wild raspberries are still common almost everywhere in the United States. They can be found in red, black, purple or gold hues, but red is still the favorite. ¹⁷