Malus domestica Spitz Esopus
1912
Ellen Isham Schutt captured the 'Spitz Esopus' apple in stunning detail back in 1912, showing both its glossy red skin and the intricate star-shaped core inside. This wasn't just for a gallery; it was part of a massive USDA project to document thousands of fruit varieties before they disappeared. The handwritten notes at the bottom reveal it was grown in Yakima, Washington, and could be stored for seven months—a crucial detail for farmers of the era! Today, these watercolors serve as a delicious time capsule of American agriculture.
- Technique
- Watercolor
- Material
- Paper
Location: USDA National Agricultural Library
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