Christmas

Origin/History

Of Russian origin. The variety was doing well in Minnesota at the time of both published accounts. Hansen (1902) notes that the variety grown under catalog number 310 by Mitchell, Peterson, Green, and others was verified to be the true Christmas, and designates it the type specimen for the Christmas Group. Hansen (1902) also cross-references it to the related varieties Sumnoi, Calville, and Crooked Spike.

Tree

Not described in source.

Fruit

Size

Medium. The Russian Nomenclature Committee record cited by Hansen (1902) assigns size designation "11."

Form

Roundish conical to oblong oval, sometimes obscurely three-sided, often oblique (Hansen 1902; Budd & Hansen 1914). The Russian Nomenclature Committee record describes the form as round, conical, often oblique and slightly angular.

Stem

Long (Hansen 1902; Budd & Hansen 1914). The Russian Nomenclature Committee record cited by Hansen (1902) gives the stem as medium — a conflict with the narrative descriptions.

Cavity

Narrow, acute, with a little russet (Hansen 1902; Budd & Hansen 1914). The Russian Nomenclature Committee record cited by Hansen (1902) describes the cavity as medium, rather narrow.

Calyx

Closed (all sources).

Basin

Flat or nearly so. Hansen (1902) describes the basin as having ribs, wrinkles, and protuberances around the eye. Budd & Hansen (1914) specify that when flat, the basin has protuberances around the eye. The Russian Nomenclature Committee record cited by Hansen (1902) describes a flush, wrinkled, or narrow-ribbed surface at the calyx end.

Skin

Yellow, with bright crimson stripes and splashes on the sunny side, often nearly covering the whole surface, making it then a beautiful fruit (Hansen 1902; Budd & Hansen 1914). The Russian Nomenclature Committee record cited by Hansen (1902) describes the coloring as yellow with red stripes at the base and deep, clear red towards the eye.

Flesh and Flavor

White, juicy, tender, subacid; quality rated very good (Hansen 1902; Budd & Hansen 1914). The Russian Nomenclature Committee record cited by Hansen (1902) describes the flesh as white and fine-grained, with a flavor of pleasant acid — supplementing rather than conflicting with the texture and quality details of the narrative descriptions.

Core and Seeds

Not described in source.

Season

Late fall (Hansen 1902; Budd & Hansen 1914). The Russian Nomenclature Committee record cited by Hansen (1902) places the season more precisely in December.

Uses

Not described in source.

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in source.

Other

Hansen (1902) groups Christmas under the heading "Christmas Group," with No. 310 as the verified type. The cross-references to Sumnoi, Calville, and Crooked Spike suggest related or possibly confused varieties in cultivation at that time.