Barchard
AppleBarchard
Origin/History
An English variety, raised in the garden of J. H. Barchard, Putney, and introduced to notice in 1852. It is now little cultivated. Referenced in Herefordshire Pomona, p. 67.
Tree
Growth moderate; fertile. Leaf rather small, much twisted, oval, shallow serrate.
Fruit
Size and Form
Medium, roundish oblate (Downing). Bunyard gives dimensions of 2¾ by 2¼ inches, describing the fruit as medium and irregular in form.
Stem
Rather long, set in a medium-sized cavity.
Cavity
Medium sized.
Calyx
Eye open.
Basin
Shallow and broad.
Skin
The two sources give partially differing color descriptions: Downing describes the skin as yellow striped with red; Bunyard describes it as pale yellow with a dull brown-red flush.
Flesh and Flavor
Flesh white and sugary (Downing). Bunyard describes the flesh as firm, yellowish, and sub-acid.
Core and Seeds
Not described in source.
Season
October (Downing). October to November (Bunyard).
Uses
Valuable for kitchen use (Downing). Culinary or dessert (Bunyard).
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
- Bunyard, A Handbook of Hardy Fruits (1920) — listed as BARCHARDS SEEDLING
- Downing, Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900) — listed as Barchard's Seedling
Nursery Catalog Sources
Found in 2 catalogs (1901–1913) from Illinois
- Benjamin Buckman (personal inventory) , Farmingdale , Illinois — 1901
- Benjamin Buckman (personal inventory) , Farmingdale , Illinois — 1913
View original book sources (2)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Barchard's Seedling.
An English variety, valuable for kitchen use. Fruit medium, roundish oblate, yellow striped with red. Flesh white, sugary. October. (L. H. S.)
— E.A. Bunyard, A Handbook of Hardy Fruits (1920)BARCHARDS SEEDLING. Her Pom., p. 67. Culinary or dessert, October to November, 2¾ by 2¼, medium, irregular. Colour, pale yellow, with dull brown-red flush. Flesh, firm, yellowish, sub-acid. Eye, open in a shallow broad basin. Stem, rather long in a medium sized cavity. Growth, moderate; fertile. Leaf, rather small, much twisted, oval, shallow serrate. Origin, raised in the garden of J. H. Barchard, Putney, and introduced to notice in 1852. It is now little cultivated.