Dillingham
Apple
Dillingham
Origin/History
Originating with D. C. Richmond of Sandusky, Ohio. Warder (1867) describes it as having been found in an old orchard belonging to Richmond, while Downing (1900) records it as raised by him; Elliott (1865) similarly credits Richmond and designates it a native variety. All three sources concur on the Sandusky, Ohio provenance. Warder notes it is not highly esteemed nor largely cultivated, though its productiveness and sweetness would render it desirable for stock-feeding.
Tree
Moderately vigorous and productive (Downing); Warder describes the tree as productive and sufficiently vigorous. Elliott characterizes it as a great bearer. Wood is light reddish brown; buds prominent and downy (Downing).
Fruit
Size: Medium, as agreed by all three sources.
Form: Sources differ: Warder describes the fruit as round-oblate rather than flat, generally regular; Downing as roundish, inclining to conic; Elliott as round and regular.
Stem: Sources conflict on stem length: Warder notes the stem is sometimes long and of medium size, and red; Downing describes the stalk as short.
Cavity: Rather deep, wide, regular, wavy, and brown (Warder); deep (Downing); deep and russeted (Elliott).
Calyx: Eye small, closed (Warder); calyx closed (Downing and Elliott).
Basin: Sources differ: Warder describes the basin as wide and folded; Downing and Elliott both describe it as medium.
Skin: Surface rough (Warder). Color varies by source: Warder gives yellowish-green, bronzed or shaded with a purplish tint; Downing gives greenish yellow; Elliott gives whitish yellow. Dots numerous and russet (Warder); green and red dots (Downing); dots of red in the sun (Elliott).
Flesh/Flavor: Flesh yellow (Warder); yellowish, fine-grained, juicy, sweet (Downing); white, fine-grained, juicy, sweet (Elliott). Warder and Downing agree on a yellow to yellowish flesh tone; Elliott describes the flesh as white. All three sources agree the flesh is juicy and sweet. Downing rates it Good; Elliott rates it "very good."
Core/Seeds: Core small and closed, meeting the eye; seeds numerous, large, and brown (Warder). Elliott confirms core small and seeds plump.
Season
Warder and Downing agree on November to February. Elliott gives October and November.
Uses
Particularly excellent for baking (Downing); good for baking (Warder). Warder further notes that the variety's productiveness and sweetness would render it desirable for stock-feeding, though it is not highly esteemed nor largely cultivated.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 3 period pomological works
View original book sources (3)
— John A. Warder, American Pomology: Apples (1867)Dillingham.
This variety was found in an old orchard of D. C. Richmond, near Sandusky, Ohio. Tree productive, and sufficiently vigorous.
Fig. 53.— DILLINGHAM.
Fruit round-oblate rather than flat, generally regular and of medium size; Surface rough, yellowish-green, and bronzed, or shaded with a purplish tint; Dots numerous, russet.
Basin wide, folded; Eye small, closed.
Cavity rather deep, wide, regular, wavy, brown; Stem sometimes long, of medium size, red.
Core small and closed, meeting the eye; Seeds numerous, large, brown.
Flesh yellow; Flavor sweet, juicy; Use, good for baking; Season, November to February. Not highly esteemed nor largely cultivated, though its productiveness and sweetness would render it desirable for stock-feeding.
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Dillingham.
Raised by D. C. Richmond, of Sandusky, O. Tree moderately vigorous, productive, and particularly excellent for baking. Wood light reddish brown. Buds prominent, downy.
Fruit medium, roundish, inclining to conic, greenish yellow, with green and red dots. Stalk short. Cavity deep. Calyx closed in a medium basin. Flesh yellowish, fine-grained, juicy, sweet. Good. November to February.
— F.R. Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865)Dillingham.
From D. C. Richmond, Esq., Sandusky, Ohio. Native. Fruit, medium, round regular, whitish yellow, dots of red in sun ; cavity, deep, russeted ; calyx, closed ; basin, medium ; core, small ; seeds, plump ; flesh, white, fine grained, juicy, sweet ; "very good ;" great bearer. October and November.