Ashmead's Kernel

Ashmead's Kernel is an English apple that originated in the gardens of Dr. Thomas Ashmead in the early 1700's  It's is often described as having an "intense" sweet-sharp flavor which mellows after a month in storage. It's has hard crispy flesh as do many russeted apples. On my morning walk I noticed quite a few on the ground with some bits of branches still attached. No sign of bear damage, I'm thinking a raccoon visited the tree last night so I picked what apples I could reach from the ground so that I could have some to enjoy. I'll return tomorrow morning with my apple picker ( a wire basket with "fingers" that is attached to a extendable fiberglass pole" and pick the apples that were out of reach.