KEIZER ALEXANDER.
lexander.
Kaiser Alexander (Handbuch, I, page 109; Deutsches Obstcabinet, Issue 7, Table 65; müller, Obstk., page 60).
Kaiser Alexander von Russland (E. lucas, Abb. Württ. Obsts., with a too magnificent illustration).
Emperor Alexander (Catalogue of the Fruits, N°. 7, page 4; HOGG, the Fruit Manual).
Russian Emperor (Ann. de Pom., 4, 35).
Aporta.
Aporta Nalivia.
Keizer Alexander (Beschrijving der vruchtsoorten [Description of fruit varieties], first series, N°. 44).
Also received under the following names, sometimes claiming to be a new variety:
Keizerappel.
President Napoleon.
Korallen-Apfel.
Stoke Tulip.
whereas Kirke's Sondersgleichen and the Liebensteiner Knollenapfel do not differ from the Alexander, or show so little difference that they can be dropped as varieties.
Its origin is to be found in South-Russia, nowadays distributed widely in Europe and North-America.
SHAPE: as illustrated, sometimes a bit lopsided.
SIZE: first grade; often considerably larger than the illustration
EYE: half closed or sometimes open, broad, long and pointed, upright sepals; basin usually very deep and wide, surrounded by folds and flat ribs; sometimes ribs go down part of the apple, flat and wide.
STALK: medium long, thick, woody, in a broad and medium deep cavity which shows a thin, grey-green and ray-like russeting.
The COLOUR usually is more lively than in the illustration, the green is often whitish and the red more lively and glossy; the skin is thin, soft and glossy; furthermore, most apples have a white-blue bloom, especially around the eye.
The FLESH is white, rather fine, soft, rather juicy, pleasantly winy and not too sour. The core is large and contains many, often imperfect pips.
TIME OF USE: October and November, can sometimes - e.g. in 1865 - be stored until early January, without special measures. Graceful as a dessert apple, but only of the second or rather the third grade; better for the kitchen. It will do well in the market because of its beauty.
The TREE is an enthousiastic grower, and forms, as far as we can judge (we donot know any old trees of this variety), a strong, high crown; summer twigs are medium strong, violet-brownish with many oblong lenticels. Leaves are big, of a lively green, roundish oval, very characteristic; on young trees we noticed yellow veins on the leaves, giving the tree a variegated look. It bears fruit very early and is fertile; the variety is found in all shapes.
As a dwarf tree it needs a protected place: the wind easily damages the large apples or makes them fall off. Our recommendation would be a pyramid-shape, possibly an espalier, although better varieties could be chosen.
A disadvantage of this beautiful apple can not be suppressed: cold, rainy summers, like the one of 1864, damage the fruit, sothat it rots on the tree. A warm place and fertile soile are what is needed for this variety.