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Columbian Russet

Apple

Columbian Russet

Origin/History

The origin of this variety is unknown. Specimens were received from H. N. Gillett, Lawrence County, Ohio. It is described as a fine, long-keeping russet that, if the tree be healthy and productive, would be a valuable addition to orchards.

Tree

Not described in source.

Fruit

Size and Form: Medium to small; round, truncated, lop-sided.

Surface: Smooth, russeted. Dots minute, scattered, and prominent.

Stem: Long, slender.

Cavity: Acute, regular.

Basin: Medium, regular.

Eye: Large, open.

Core: Medium, closed, pyriform, meeting the eye.

Seeds: Numerous, slender, angular, dark.

Flesh: Very yellow, breaking, fine-grained, juicy.

Flavor: Acid to sub-acid, rich, aromatic. Quality best.

Season

February to April.

Uses

Table.

Other

Very like the Golden Pearmain (from J. S. Downer). The two may prove to be the same variety.

Book Sources

Described in 1 period pomological work

USDA Nomenclature (1905)

From W.H. Ragan, Nomenclature of the Apple, USDA Bulletin No. 56

Warder says "much like Golden Pearmain."

View original book sources (1)

Columbian Russet.

The origin of this fine, long-keeping russet is not known. Specimens were received from H. N. Gillett, Lawrence County, Ohio. If the tree be healthy and productive, this variety will be a valuable addition to our orchards.

Fruit medium to small, round, truncated, lop-sided; Surface smooth, russeted; Dots minute, scattered, prominent.

Basin medium, regular; Eye large, open.

Cavity acute, regular; Stem, long, slender.

Core medium, closed, pyriform, meeting the eye; Seeds numerous, slender, angular, dark; Flesh very yellow, breaking, fine-grained, juicy; Flavor acid to sub-acid, rich, aromatic; Quality best; Use, table; Season, February to April.

Very like the Golden Pearmain, from J. S. Downer, which see; they may prove to be the same variety.

— John A. Warder, American Pomology: Apples (1867)
Golden Pearmain