Centennial
AppleCentennial
Origin and History
An old variety which originated on the farm of Stephen Child, East Woodstock, Connecticut, but was not brought into notice until quite recently (circa 1900).
Tree
Thrifty, upright grower, somewhat spreading. An abundant bearer on alternate years.
Fruit
Size and form: 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 and flavor: 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.
Uses
Suitable for home use and market. Fruit always fair, handsome, and desirable.
Subtypes/Variants
Pennsylvania Centennial (Schuman strain): A second Centennial apple originated with J. Z. Schuman, of Upper Berne, Pennsylvania, and stated by him to be a new apple, which produced its first fruit in 1875. Tree is vigorous, healthy, and a good bearer. Fruit is large, handsome, striped with red, of an aromatic flavor, and keeps through the winter.
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.