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Collins

Apple
USDA watercolor illustration of Collins

USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection

Collins

Origin / History

Collins originated about 1865 near Fayetteville, Arkansas (Beach 1905; Hedrick 1922; Budd-Hansen 1914). Budd-Hansen specify it was raised on the old Merriam farm near Fayetteville and was named in honor of its introducer, Geo. Collins. It is an Arkansas variety of (then) recent introduction, much planted in the Southwest, where it was especially valued for the productiveness of the tree and the excellent keeping quality of the fruit (Beach 1905). At the time of Beach's writing, Collins had not yet been sufficiently tested in New York to determine whether it was desirable for planting in that region; as fruited there, it was of good size and form but decidedly inferior to Baldwin in color and quality, ranking in those respects even below Rome (Beauty) and sometimes below Ben Davis and Cooper Market. Hedrick (1922) notes that Collins was receiving attention in regions where Ben Davis thrives, observing that in the North the fruit is much inferior in appearance and quality to Baldwin, and that it is not equal to Rome Beauty or even Ben Davis in these respects in the South. Beach observes that the fruit's cavity in many cases shows some resemblance to that of Rome, and that the variety evidently requires a longer season than Baldwin to bring it to perfect development, but it may prove profitable in those sections of New York where Ben Davis does well. A USDA clone survey (Fisher 1963) records that "Champion" was received from W. F. Broome Nursery, Myton, Utah (assigned station number A51124, reported by the U.S. Horticultural Field Station, Cheyenne, Wyoming) and a second accession was received from Stark Brothers Nursery, Louisiana, Missouri (reported by the Ashland Spooner Peninsular Station, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin).

Tree

Tree large, tall, very vigorous (Beach 1905; Hedrick 1922); a vigorous grower in nursery and orchard, very productive (Budd-Hansen 1914). Branches long, crooked; Beach describes them as moderately thick, while Hedrick describes them as thick. Form rather upright and dense, eventually becoming more open and outspreading (Beach 1905; Hedrick 1922). Hardy, and has the reputation of being very productive (Beach 1905); the trees have a high reputation for vigor and productiveness (Hedrick 1922). Twigs moderately long, rather slender, pubescent; fruit often borne on the ends of the twigs; internodes medium to long (Beach 1905). Bark very bright dark reddish-brown, somewhat mottled with thin, gray scarf-skin. Lenticels numerous, conspicuous, usually small but sometimes large, roundish or oblong, not raised. Buds medium to large, rather flat, appressed, somewhat acute or tending to obtuse, quite pubescent. Foliage rather dense; leaves medium to large, rather long (Beach 1905); leaves large, long (Hedrick 1922).

Fruit

Size and Form

Fruit large or above medium (Beach 1905); large (Hedrick 1922; Budd-Hansen 1914); medium-sized (Lowther 1914). Form globular or a little oblate inclined to conic, pretty symmetrical (Beach 1905); globular or oblate inclined to conic, symmetrical (Hedrick 1922); roundish oblate, slightly unequal (Budd-Hansen 1914); round (Lowther 1914).

Stem

Stem above medium to short (Beach 1905); medium to short (Hedrick 1922). Budd-Hansen describe the stem as about one inch long, of medium caliper, curved, largest at twig.

Cavity

Cavity acute, sometimes acuminate, medium to rather broad, symmetrical or obscurely furrowed, smooth or with radiating russet rays (Beach 1905); acute, sometimes acuminate, broad, symmetrical or obscurely furrowed, smooth or with radiating russet rays (Hedrick 1922). Budd-Hansen describe the cavity differently as large, regular, deep, flaring, russeted and slightly lipped.

Calyx

Calyx medium to rather small, partly open or sometimes closed; lobes slightly separated at the base, short, obtuse (Beach 1905). Hedrick describes the calyx as small, open or sometimes closed; lobes separated at the base, short, obtuse. Budd-Hansen describe the calyx as medium, closed or partially open; segments short, wide, converging.

Basin

Basin round, moderately shallow to rather deep, somewhat abrupt to rather obtuse, symmetrical or somewhat furrowed (Beach 1905); round, deep, abrupt, symmetrical or furrowed (Hedrick 1922); large, regular, deep, abrupt, slightly furrowed and downy (Budd-Hansen 1914).

Skin

Skin thick, tough, slightly waxy, and partly covered with a faint bloom (Beach 1905); thick, tough, waxy, with faint bloom (Hedrick 1922); of medium thickness, tough (Budd-Hansen 1914). Surface moderately smooth, with some fine leather-cracking (Budd-Hansen 1914). When well grown the color is attractive, being yellow, contrasting sharply with the bright red with which it is more or less overspread and sometimes nearly covered (Beach 1905). Highly colored specimens are bright dark red, sparingly and indistinctly striped with purplish-carmine and occasionally showing contrasting clear yellow ground color; less highly colored specimens are yellow, more or less washed and striped with red (Beach 1905). Bright dark red, indistinctly striped with purplish-carmine and occasionally showing contrasting clear yellow ground color (Hedrick 1922). Yellow, washed with dull and bright red, splashed and striped with crimson (Budd-Hansen 1914). Lowther (1914) records skin color simply as "s".

Dots

Dots inconspicuous, small, russet or pale gray (Beach 1905); inconspicuous, russet or pale gray (Hedrick 1922); light russet, many with dark centres (Budd-Hansen 1914). Sometimes a suture line extends from cavity to basin (Beach 1905; Hedrick 1922).

Core and Seeds

Calyx tube small, varying from long, narrow funnel-shape to short, approaching conic (Beach 1905); calyx-tube small, long, narrow funnel-shape to short-conic (Hedrick 1922). Stamens median or below (Beach 1905); stamens median (Hedrick 1922). Core medium to rather small, abaxile (Beach 1905); small, abaxile (Hedrick 1922); medium size, conical, clasping, partially open (Budd-Hansen 1914). Cells symmetrical, closed or somewhat open (Beach 1905); cells symmetrical, closed or open (Hedrick 1922). Core lines clasp the funnel cylinder (Beach 1905; Hedrick 1922). Carpels much concave, elliptical to obcordate, somewhat tufted and deeply emarginate (Beach 1905); concave, elliptical to obcordate, tufted and deeply emarginate (Hedrick 1922). Seeds dark, large, rather narrow to moderately wide, long, rather flat, acute (Beach 1905); dark, large, narrow, long, flat, acute (Hedrick 1922); few, of medium size, plump, brown (Budd-Hansen 1914).

Flesh and Flavor

Flesh nearly white, very firm, rather coarse, crisp, moderately tender, moderately juicy, rather sprightly subacid, slightly aromatic, fair to good (Beach 1905). Hedrick describes the flesh as white, very firm, coarse, crisp, tender, juicy, sprightly subacid, aromatic; fair to good. Budd-Hansen describe the flesh as yellow, satiny, moderately coarse, crisp, moderately juicy, subacid, good. Lowther (1914) rates the quality as very good.

Season

Season January to June (Beach 1905; Hedrick 1922). Winter (Budd-Hansen 1914; Lowther 1914). Especially valued in the Southwest on account of the excellent keeping quality of the fruit (Beach 1905).

Uses

Primary use is market (Lowther 1914).

Subtypes / Variants

Not described in source.

Other

Lowther (1914) reports no station counts for the Northern, Central, or Southern Divisions.

Book Sources

Described in 9 period pomological works

Nursery Catalog Sources

Found in 8 catalogs (1896–1918) from Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, Washington

View original book sources (6)

COLLINS.

REFERENCES. 1. U. S. Pom. Rpt., 1895:21. 2. Thomas, 1897:468. 3. Van Deman, Amer. Gard., 19:823. 1898. 4. Stinson, Ark. Sta. Bul., 49:10. 1898. 5. Ib., 60:127. 1899. 6. Brackett, Amer. Gard., 22:190. 1901. 7. Budd-Hansen, 1903:65.

SYNONYMS. Champion (3, 4, 5, 6, 7). Champion Red (3, 4, 5, 6). Collins' Red (3, 4, 5, 6). Coss Champion (6). Coss's Champion (4, 5).

An Arkansas variety of recent introduction. It has not yet been sufficiently tested in New York to determine whether it is desirable for planting in this region. As fruited here it is of good size and form but decidedly inferior to Baldwin in color and quality, in these respects ranking even below Rome (Beauty) and sometimes below Ben Davis and Cooper Market. When well grown the color is attractive, being yellow, contrasting sharply with the bright red with which it is more or less overspread and sometimes nearly covered. In many cases the cavity shows some resemblance to that of Rome. The tree is a good grower, hardy, and has the reputation of being very productive. Evidently it requires a longer season than Baldwin to bring it to perfect development, but it may prove profitable in those sections of the state where Ben Davis does well.

Historical. Originated about 1865 near Fayetteville, Arkansas (1, 4, 6). It has been much planted in the Southwest and is there especially valued on account of the productiveness of the tree and the excellent keeping quality of the fruit.

TREE. Tree large, tall, very vigorous; branches long, moderately thick, crooked. Form rather upright and dense, eventually becoming more open and outspreading. Twigs moderately long, rather slender, pubescent; fruit often borne on the ends of the twigs; internodes medium to long. Bark very bright dark reddish-brown, somewhat mottled with thin, gray scarf-skin. Lenticels numerous, conspicuous, usually small but sometimes large, roundish or oblong, not raised. Buds medium to large, rather flat, appressed, somewhat acute or tending to obtuse, quite pubescent. Foliage rather dense; leaves medium to large, rather long.

FRUIT. Fruit large or above medium. Form globular or a little oblate inclined to conic, pretty symmetrical. Stem above medium to short. Cavity acute, sometimes acuminate, medium to rather broad, symmetrical or obscurely furrowed, smooth or with radiating russet rays. Calyx medium to rather small, partly open or sometimes closed; lobes slightly separated at the base, short, obtuse. Basin round, moderately shallow to rather deep, somewhat abrupt to rather obtuse, symmetrical or somewhat furrowed. Skin thick, tough, slightly waxy, and partly covered with a faint bloom. Highly colored specimens are bright dark red, sparingly and indistinctly striped with purplish-carmine and occasionally showing contrasting clear yellow ground color. Less highly colored specimens are yellow, more or less washed and striped with red. Dots inconspicuous, small, russet or pale gray. Sometimes a suture line extends from cavity to basin. Calyx tube small, varying from long, narrow funnel-shape to short, approaching conic. Stamens median or below. Core medium to rather small, abaxile; cells symmetrical, closed or somewhat open; core lines clasp the funnel cylinder. Carpels much concave, elliptical to obcordate, somewhat tufted and deeply emarginate. Seeds dark, large, rather narrow to moderately wide, long, rather flat, acute. Flesh nearly white, very firm, rather coarse, crisp, moderately tender, moderately juicy, rather sprightly subacid, slightly aromatic, fair to good. Season January to June.

— S.A. Beach, The Apples of New York, Vol. 1 (1905)

Collins is a medium-sized fruit of round form. Skin color: "s". Quality is very good. Primary use is market. Season of ripening is winter. No station counts are reported for the Northern, Central, or Southern Divisions.

— Granville Lowther (ed.), Encyclopedia of Practical Horticulture (1914)

Champion. See Collins.

— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)

Collins (Champion).—Originated thirty-eight years ago on the old Merriam farm near Fayetteville, Arkansas; named in honor of the introducer, Geo. Collins; tree a vigorous grower in nursery and orchard, very productive.

Fruit large, roundish oblate, slightly unequal; skin of medium thickness, tough; surface moderately smooth, with some fine leather-cracking, yellow, washed with dull and bright red, splashed and striped with crimson; dots light russet, many with dark centres; cavity large, regular, deep, flaring, russeted and slightly lipped; stem about one inch long, of medium caliper, curved, largest at twig; basin large, regular, deep, abrupt, slightly furrowed and downy; calyx medium, closed, or partially open; segments short, wide, converging. Core medium size, conical, clasping, partially open; seeds few, of medium size, plump, brown; flesh yellow, satiny, moderately coarse, crisp, moderately juicy, subacid, good. Winter. (U. S. Agr. Report, 1895.)

— J.L. Budd & N.E. Hansen, American Horticultural Manual, Part II: Systematic Pomology (1914)

COLLINS. Champion. Champion Red. Collins Red. Collins is receiving attention in regions where Ben Davis thrives. The fruit is somewhat like that of Baldwin in shape and color, with a cavity like that of Rome Beauty. The trees have a high reputation for vigor and productiveness. In the North, the fruit is much inferior in appearance and quality to Baldwin, and it is not equal to Rome Beauty or even Ben Davis in these respects in the South. Collins originated about 1865 near Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Tree large, tall, very vigorous, upright and dense, eventually becoming open; branches long, thick, crooked. Leaves large, long. Fruit large, globular or oblate inclined to conic, symmetrical; stem medium to short; cavity acute, sometimes acuminate, broad, symmetrical or obscurely furrowed, smooth or with radiating russet rays; calyx small, open or sometimes closed; lobes separated at the base, short, obtuse; basin round, deep, abrupt, symmetrical or furrowed; skin thick, tough, waxy, with faint bloom, bright dark red, indistinctly striped with purplish-carmine and occasionally showing contrasting clear yellow ground color; dots inconspicuous, russet or pale gray; sometimes a suture line extends from cavity to basin; calyx-tube small, long, narrow funnel-shape to short-conic; stamens median; core small, abaxile; cells symmetrical, closed or open; corelines clasp the funnel cylinder; carpels concave, elliptical to obcordate, tufted and deeply emarginate; seeds dark, large, narrow, long, flat, acute; flesh white, very firm, coarse, crisp, tender, juicy, sprightly subacid, aromatic; fair to good; January to June.

— U.P. Hedrick, Cyclopedia of Hardy Fruits (1922)

Champion was received from W. F. Broome Nursery, Myton, Utah, assigned station number A51124, and reported by the U.S. Horticultural Field Station, Cheyenne, Wyoming. A second accession was received from Stark Brothers Nursery, Louisiana, Missouri, and reported by the Ashland Spooner Peninsular Station, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.

— H.H. Fisher (USDA ARS), A Survey of Apple Clones in the United States (1963)
Champion Champion Red Charbonniere Colin Noir Collins Red Collins' Red Coss Champion Coss's Champion Malconnaitre Meconnaitre Watertown Hare Melon