Centennial
AppleCentennial
Origin / History
An old variety which originated on the farm of Stephen Child, East Woodstock, Conn., but was not brought into notice till quite recently. Downing distinguishes another Centennial, originated with J. Z. Schuman, of Upper Berne, Pa., which he states is a new apple, and produced its first fruit in 1875.
Tree
Thrifty, upright grower, somewhat spreading; an abundant bearer on alternate years; fruit always fair, handsome. The Schuman Centennial: tree vigorous, healthy, and a good bearer.
Fruit
Size: Medium. In the Schuman Centennial, large.
Form: Roundish oblate, slightly conic, slightly angular.
Stem: Rather short, small.
Cavity: Medium, much russeted, sometimes extending its rays out on the fruit.
Calyx: Closed.
Basin: Rather large, deep, corrugated.
Skin: Yellow, shaded with light and dark red, striped and splashed with crimson over the entire surface, and purplish crimson in the sun. In the Schuman Centennial, handsome, striped with red.
Dots: A few, light.
Flesh and flavor: Flesh white, sometimes a little stained next the skin, half fine, tender, juicy, subacid, with a pleasant, refreshing flavor; very good. In the Schuman Centennial, flavor aromatic.
Core and seeds: Core large.
Season
November, December. The Schuman Centennial keeps through the winter.
Uses
Desirable for home use or market.
Subtypes / Variants
Downing describes "another Centennial" originating with J. Z. Schuman, of Upper Berne, Pa.: tree vigorous, healthy, a good bearer; fruit large, handsome, striped with red, of an aromatic flavor, keeping through the winter. It is a separate apple from the Child Centennial described above.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 1 period pomological work
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 (1)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Centennial.
An old variety which originated on the farm of Stephen Child, East Woodstock, Conn., but was not brought into notice till quite recently. Tree a thrifty upright grower, somewhat spreading, an abundant bearer on alternate years; fruit always fair, handsome, and desirable for home use or market.
Fruit medium, roundish oblate, slightly conic, slightly angular; skin yellow, shaded with light and dark red, striped and splashed with crimson over the entire surface, and purplish crimson in the sun, with a few light dots; stalk rather short, small; cavity medium, much russeted, sometimes extending its rays out on the fruit; calyx closed; basin rather large, deep, corrugated; flesh white, sometimes a little stained next the skin, half fine, tender, juicy, subacid, with a pleasant, refreshing flavor; very good; core large. Season November, December.
There is another Centennial which originated with J. Z. Schuman, of Upper Berne, Pa., which he states is a new apple, and produced its first fruit in 1875. Tree is vigorous, healthy, and a good bearer; the fruit is large, handsome, striped with red, of an aromatic flavor, and keeps through the winter.