Apple tree `NJ 55`

#This invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Apple Tree, developed near Cream Ridge, N.J., as part of certain efforts to develop improved apple trees having improved fruit quality.

#The cultivar of this invention is a seedling whose parentage is derived from a block planted in 1964 near Cream Ridge, N.J., in an orchard of other trees whose breeding records are kept.

#The new cultivar which we have chosen to designate as NJ55, is a seedling produced by crossing a seedling known as NJ 303955, being the seed parent, and another cultivar "Golden Delicious" which is unpatented, being the pollen parent.

#In order to support the disclosure herein, there is provided a drawing wherein FIG. 1 shows a typical example of young tree of the new cultivar illustrating the growth habit thereof, at or about the time when picking would normally be effected.

#FIG. 2 shows a typical example of the apple produced, disclosing the color, round conical shape, flesh color and blush with the skin color.

#In order to described the tree and fruit in particular detail, reference is had to a color chart, known as the Horticultural Color Chart issued by the British Color Council in collaboration with The Royal Horticultural Society, the photographs of which the above are representations being as nearly like the actual fruit and tree as is possible to make the same in a color reproduction of this kind.

#Turning to a consideration of the details of this new cultivar, we note that the following description is a detailed description and embodies primary distinctive characteristics and identifying means by which the tree is recognized and the fruit produced is described.

#Where color is referred to hereinafter it was measured in terms of its color space coordinates (L*a*b*) with a Minolta CR-300 Chroma Meter calibrated with a white calibration plate.