Baddow Pippin

[NOTE: Source text may be incorrect — the second entry in George Bunyard & Co.'s 1914 catalog describes "a variety introduced from the Continent, of which we have been unable so far to determine the correct name." Its continental origin cannot be reconciled with the Essex origin given everywhere else, so it appears to describe a different variety. Its details are kept separately under Other.]

Origin / History

The Herefordshire Pomona says the origin of this "excellent Apple" is "involved in some obscurity." The variety was found in the garden of the Hall at Tolleshunt D'Arcy, in Essex. The Pomona spells the place "Toleshunt," and the 1914 George Bunyard & Co. catalog places it near Colchester. The Pomona (1885) reports a tree there upwards of a century old still standing. Some years before the Pomona was written, Mr. John Harris, of Baddow, near Chelmsford, first introduced it to public notice under the name of Baddow Pippin. Mr. Rivers afterwards renamed it Spring Ribston, and the Pomona describes it under the heading D'Arcy Spice.

E. A. Bunyard says it probably originated in Essex. Both he and the 1914 Bunyard catalog put its coming into general notice at about 1850. Downing calls it "an English dessert Apple, valued for its keeping properties." The 1901 Bunyard catalog praises it as "an Essex fruit of great merit" and also calls it "a little known, but excellent fruit." The 1914 catalog calls it a "valuable fruit." The Herefordshire Pomona held that its excellent flavor "will ensure its more extensive cultivation."

Tree

Growth weak (E. A. Bunyard), slow to very slow, compact (1901 Bunyard catalog). The Herefordshire Pomona, however, calls the tree hardy and says it grows freely.

Bears well (Herefordshire Pomona) or freely (1901 Bunyard catalog). E. A. Bunyard calls fertility moderate.

Leaf medium, dark, upfolded, sharply serrate or curved serrate (E. A. Bunyard).

The 1914 Bunyard catalog calls it "so esteemed in East Anglia," but E. A. Bunyard finds it "not often found thriving out of East Anglia."

Fruit

Size: Medium, 2⅜ by 2¼ (E. A. Bunyard).

Form: Roundish or rather oblate, with prominent ribs on the sides. The ribs terminate in four and sometimes five considerable ridges at the crown, "very much in the character of the London Pippin" (Herefordshire Pomona). E. A. Bunyard calls it square-rounded and irregular, and the 1914 Bunyard catalog calls it angular.

Sometimes ovate, when the stalk is prominent instead of depressed. In that case the ribs on the sides and the ridges round the eye are less apparent (Herefordshire Pomona). The Pomona calls it "not handsome in shape, nor attractive in appearance."

Stem: Short to very short, not more than a quarter of an inch long (Herefordshire Pomona). E. A. Bunyard calls it "short rather."

Cavity: Shallow (Herefordshire Pomona). E. A. Bunyard says the stem is deeply inserted in a russet cavity.

Calyx: Eye large or rather large and open, with short segments. E. A. Bunyard calls it slightly open.

Basin: Angular (Herefordshire Pomona). E. A. Bunyard calls it deep and wrinkled.

Skin: Deep lively green, changing as it ripens to yellowish green, yellow, or dull yellow on the shaded side. The side next the sun is covered with dull red, which changes to orange where it blends with the yellow ground; E. A. Bunyard calls the red a flush. Thin brown russet marks the whole surface considerably, and E. A. Bunyard says it is covered with russet.

Dots: Russety (Herefordshire Pomona).

Flesh and flavor: Flesh greenish white, greenish, or whitish. Firm, crisp, juicy, sugary, with "a particularly rich and vinous flavour, partaking somewhat of the Ribston and Nonpareil, but particularly of the former" (Herefordshire Pomona). Highly to very highly aromatic, with a very spicy flavor. Veitch calls it "fairly flavoured and richly aromatic."

Most authors rate it among the best: "of first-rate character" (Herefordshire Pomona), "of the finest quality" (E. A. Bunyard), and "of first-class flavour" (1901 Bunyard catalog). Downing rates it simply "Good."

Core and seeds: Not described in source.

Season

The recorded season runs from November to May. Most authors give November into April or May. The Herefordshire Pomona says it is in season from November but has "the desirable property of keeping well till April or May." Downing (April to May) and the 1914 Bunyard catalog (March to May) place it late, as a spring apple.

Uses

Dessert.

Subtypes / Variants

Not described in source.

Other

The 1901 Bunyard catalog offers standards at 2/6 and dwarfs at 2/6 and 3/6.

The doubtful second 1914 Bunyard catalog entry, for a variety the catalog says was introduced from the Continent, reads: dessert; December to February. Medium, flat, red cheek and golden russet. Flesh very crisp, juicy and highly flavored. Spreading habit.