BURLINGTON PIPPIN

Origin/History

The sources disagree on the geographic origin of BURLINGTON PIPPIN. Downing (1900) states the origin is unknown but supposed to be Burlington, Vermont, and lists an alternate name "Town House." Hansen (1902) records a distinct entry under the name "Burlington" originating near Burlington, Iowa, describing it as a small local variety of excellent quality. It is possible these represent two distinct varieties sharing the Burlington name; both accounts are preserved here with attribution.

Tree

Downing describes the tree as hardy and vigorous, forming a round, rather spreading head. It is a good bearer annually, producing fair fruit of uniform size and excellent quality. Not described in source (Hansen, Encyclopedia).

Fruit

Size

Sources conflict. Downing gives the size as medium or above. Hansen describes it as small. The Encyclopedia of Practical Horticulture (1914) gives size as medium.

Form

Sources conflict. Downing describes the fruit as oblate, slightly conic, and slightly angular. Hansen describes it as regular, roundish, truncated, and cylindrical.

Stem

Downing: stalk medium, slender. Hansen: stem short.

Cavity

Sources conflict. Downing: cavity broad, deep, with slight russet. Hansen: cavity wide, shallow, regular.

Calyx

Both Downing and Hansen agree: calyx closed.

Basin

Downing: basin medium, slightly plaited. Hansen: basin wide, deep, folded.

Skin

Sources conflict. Downing: skin pale whitish yellow, shaded and mottled with light red, with stripes and broken splashes of dark red, and a few light and grayish dots. Hansen: surface greenish yellow, with a shade of pale red on the sunny side; dots whitish, many, with a dark dot in the centre. The Encyclopedia gives color as yellow-red.

Flesh and Flavor

Sources conflict on flesh color. Downing: flesh quite white, sometimes a little stained next the skin, half fine, tender, juicy, pleasant mild subacid, and a little vinous. Hansen: flesh yellow, tender, mild subacid, rich, very good.

Core and Seeds

Downing: core medium. Hansen: core small. Not described in source (Encyclopedia).

Season

Downing gives the season as October through January. Hansen gives winter. The Encyclopedia gives winter.

Uses

The Encyclopedia of Practical Horticulture specifies use as both kitchen and market. No station reports are noted for the Northern, Central, or Southern Divisions. Downing does not specify use explicitly, though the description of "excellent quality" and the October–January keeping window implies fresh eating and storage. Hansen does not specify use.

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in source.

Other

The Encyclopedia entry for Burlington (Pippin) is in semi-tabular format; the form field reads "fle," which is an abbreviation whose expansion is unclear from context. The full entry as printed: size medium; form fle; color yellow-red; quality very good; use both kitchen and market; season winter.