Baxter's Pearmain
Apple
Baxter's Pearmain
Origin/History
A Norfolk variety, introduced to notice by Mr. G. Lindley in 1821. (Bunyard.) Downing's account is attributed to Hogg.
Tree
Downing describes the tree as hardy and vigorous; Bunyard describes growth as moderate. Both agree it is productive: Downing calls it productive, Bunyard calls it very fertile. Leaves long, dark green, much upfolded, sharply serrate. (Bunyard.)
Fruit
Size: Downing (via Hogg) calls the fruit large. Bunyard calls it medium, measuring 2½ inches tall by 2¾ inches wide.
Form: Roundish conical (both sources). Downing adds "elongated conical"; Bunyard describes it as slightly flattened.
Skin/Color: Downing describes the fruit as pale green, with shades and streaks of red in sun. Bunyard describes the ground color as pale yellow, with a red-brown flush and stripes.
Stem: Short, rather slender. (Bunyard.)
Cavity: Even. (Bunyard, from stem description.)
Calyx: Open. (Bunyard.)
Basin: Moderately deep and wide, slightly plaited. (Bunyard.)
Flesh: Yellowish (both sources). Downing describes the flesh as firm; Bunyard describes it as tender.
Flavor: Downing: brisk, sprightly subacid. Bunyard: pleasantly acid, noting it is rather too acid for some palates.
Season
Downing gives November to March. Bunyard gives December to February.
Uses
Downing: valuable for all purposes. Bunyard: dessert or culinary.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
Nursery Catalog Sources
Found in 3 catalogs (1901–1913) from England, Illinois
- Benjamin Buckman (personal inventory) , Farmingdale , Illinois — 1901
- James Veitch & Sons , Ltd., Royal Exotic Nursery, Chelsea, London (also Coombe Wood, Langley, and Feltham) , England — 1911
- Benjamin Buckman (personal inventory) , Farmingdale , Illinois — 1913
View original book sources (2)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Baxter's Pearmain. From Norfolk, England. Tree hardy, vigorous, productive. Fruit large, roundish, elongated conical, pale green, with shades and streaks of red in the sun. Flesh yellowish, firm, brisk, sprightly subacid. Valuable for all purposes. November to March. (Hogg.)
— E.A. Bunyard, A Handbook of Hardy Fruits (1920)BAXTER'S PEARMAIN. Dessert or culinary, December to February, medium, 2½ by 2¾, roundish conical, slightly flattened. Colour, pale yellow with red-brown flush and stripes. Flesh, yellowish, tender, pleasantly acid. Eye, open in a moderately deep and wide basin, which is slightly plaited. Stem, short, rather slender in an even basin. Growth, moderate; very fertile. Leaf, long, dark green, much upfolded, sharply serrate. Origin, a Norfolk variety, introduced to notice by Mr. G. Lindley, in 1821. It is rather too acid for some palates.