Bode

Origin/History

Bode is of Russian origin. Hansen (1902) characterizes it as desirable for early summer use at the North. A description appears in the records of the Russian Nomenclature Committee (cited by Hansen as "Rus. Nom. Com."), indicating early documentation in Russian pomological literature. By 1963, the USDA Agricultural Research Service had obtained a clone from the Dominion Experimental Station, Canada, where it was maintained at the U.S. Horticultural Field Station in Cheyenne, Wyoming under accession number A523.

Tree

Not described in source.

Fruit

Size

Medium, according to Hansen (1902) and Budd & Hansen (1914); the Russian Nomenclature Committee assigns a size rating of 4. Fisher (1963) reports the fruit as medium to large — a slight discrepancy with the earlier sources.

Form

Oblate, somewhat angular, sometimes unequal (Hansen 1902; Budd & Hansen 1914). The Russian Nomenclature Committee describes the form as oblate, slightly oblique, and a trifle angular.

Skin

Surface smooth and polished. Hansen (1902) and Budd & Hansen (1914) give the color as yellowish white to white, rarely with a faint blush. The Russian Nomenclature Committee describes the color as greenish white. Dots are large, white, and suffused (Hansen 1902; Budd & Hansen 1914); the Russian Nomenclature Committee refers to light dots in the context of cavity russet over-running onto them.

Stem

Thick and very short (Hansen 1902; Budd & Hansen 1914). The Russian Nomenclature Committee describes the stem simply as short.

Cavity

Hansen (1902) and Budd & Hansen (1914) describe the cavity as wide and very shallow, with a green and russet surface. The Russian Nomenclature Committee gives a conflicting account: rather small and medium deep, with russet often over-running the light dots.

Calyx

Hansen (1902) and Budd & Hansen (1914) describe the calyx as closed, with segments erect. The Russian Nomenclature Committee describes the calyx as half open, with erect segments — a conflict on the open/closed state.

Basin

Wide, wavy, with fine corrugations about the eye (Hansen 1902; Budd & Hansen 1914). The Russian Nomenclature Committee describes it as broad, medium deep, wrinkled, and wavy.

Flesh and Flavor

Hansen (1902) and Budd & Hansen (1914): flesh snow-white, juicy, subacid, tender; quality rated good to very good. The Russian Nomenclature Committee gives a differing account: flesh white, firm, and of medium fine texture, with the flavor described as acid rather than subacid — conflicts on texture (juicy/tender vs. firm/medium fine) and acidity level.

Core and Seeds

Core closed, meeting. Tube broad but very short. Stamens median. (Hansen 1902; Budd & Hansen 1914.) Not described by the Russian Nomenclature Committee or Fisher.

Season

Early August (Hansen 1902; Budd & Hansen 1914). The Russian Nomenclature Committee gives the season as summer.

Uses

Recommended as a desirable early summer variety for northern climates (Hansen 1902; Budd & Hansen 1914).

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in source.

Other

The USDA clone (accession A523) was received from the Dominion Experimental Station, Canada, and was held at the U.S. Horticultural Field Station, P.O. Box 1250, Cheyenne, Wyoming (station code WyC) as of 1963 (Fisher).