Duchess of Oldenburgh.

This very beautiful striped apple is from Russia, and has proved one of the hardiest apples in our trying climate. Reports from the Northwest are entirely satisfactory as to its hardiness.

Tree medium size, round-headed, sufficiently vigorous and perfectly hardy.

Fruit medium, regular, roundish-oblate; Surface smooth, waxen-yellow, partially covered with distinct and regular stripes and splashes of brilliant red and carmine; often having a light bloom, such as is found on most Russian apples.

Basin regular, pretty wide; Eye large and closed.

Cavity regular, acute; Stem medium to long, rather slender.

Flesh white, tender, juicy; Sour and suitable for cooking. Though attractive to the eye, it is unsuited for the dessert.

By Dr. Jno. A. Kennicott, the pioneer cultivator of Northern Illinois, this apple was considered the ne plus ultra for that and higher latitudes.

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

Duchess of Oldenburgh.

Smith's Beauty of Newark. New Brunswick.

This handsome Russian Apple proves one of the most hardy and profitable varieties in cultivation, and especially in our northwestern sections. The tree is vigorous, forming a roundish, upright, spreading head, requiring little or no pinning, and producing abundantly a fruit of fair, even, and regular size, that, although not of the first quality, always commands a ready sale, as it is valuable for market and cooking, and passably good for dessert. Young shoots smooth, reddish.

Fruit medium size, regularly formed, roundish oblate. Skin smooth, finely washed and streaked with red on a golden or yellow ground. Calyx pretty large and nearly closed, set in a wide, even hollow. There is a faint blue bloom on this fruit. The flesh is juicy, sprightly subacid. Ripens early in September.

— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)

OLDENBURG.

REFERENCES. 1. London Hort. Soc. Cat., 1831:No. 341. 2. Kenrick, 1832:64. 3. Manning, 1838:52. 4. Ives, Mag. Hort., 6:125. 1840. 5. Manning, Ib., 7:144. 1841. 6. Downing, 1845:82. 7. Cole, 1849:102. 8. Thomas, 1849:147. 9. Hovey, Mag. Hort., 16:495. 1850. fig. 10. Emmons, Nat. Hist. N. Y., 3:34. 1851. 11. Barry, 1851:283. 12. Waring, 1851:28. 13. Elliott, 1854:131. 14. Hooper, 1857:30. 15. Gregg, 1857:42. 16. Am. Pom. Soc. Cat., 1862. 17. Barry, Horticulturist, 22:148. 1867. 18. Warder, 1867:431. 19. Todd, 1871:186. fig. 20. Leroy, 1873:148. fig. 21. Montreal Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1876:6. 22. Ib., 6:97. 1880. 23. Am. Pom. Soc. Cat., 1883:12. 24. Hogg, 1884:64. 25. Can. Hort. 11:221. 1888. 26. Hoskins, Rural N. Y., 47:646. 1888. 27. Dunlap, Ill. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1889:23. 28. Can. Hort., 12:75, 110. 1889. 29. Montreal Hort. Soc. Rpt., 15:26. 1890. 30. Lyon, Mich. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1890:294. 31. Bailey, An. Hort., 1892:237. 32. Am. Gard., 14:519. 1893. 33. Can. Hort., 17:291. 1894. 34. Rural N. Y., 53:28. 1894. 35. Am. Gard., 17:519. 1896. 36. Bunyard, Jour. Roy. Hort. Soc., 1898:354. 37. Woolverton, Ont. Fr. Stas. An. Rpt., 6:8. 1899. figs. 38. Craig, Cyc. of Hort., 1901:1404. 39. Van Deman, Rural N. Y., 60:248. 1901. 40. Alwood, Va. Sta. Bul., 130:121. 1901. 41. Waugh, Vt. Sta. An. Rpt., 14:302. 1901. 42. Hansen, S. D. Sta. Bul., 76:46. 1902. 43. Ib., 76:79. 1902. fig. 44. Dickens and Greene, Kan. Sta. Bul., 106:52. 1902. 45. Bruner, N. C. Sta. Bul., 182:21. 1903. 46. Farrand, Mich. Sta. Bul., 205:45. 1903. 47. Budd-Hansen, 1903:141. fig. 48. Powell and Fulton, U. S. B. P. I. Bul., 48:51. 1903. 49. Beach and Clark, N. Y. Sta. Bul., 248:136. 1904.

SYNONYMS. Barovski (20). Barowiski (20). Borovitsky (20, 37, 38). BOROWICKI (20). Borowitski (24). Borowitsky (43). Charlamowiski (24). Charlamowski d'Automne (20). Charlamowskircher Nalleoid (20). Charlamowsky (43). DUCHESS (27, 29, 32, 35, 37, 38, 43). DUCHESS OF OLDENBURG (3, 4, 11, 12, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 25, 28, 31, 33, 36, 44). Duchess of Oldenburg (23, 41, 48, 49). DUCHESS OF OLDENBURGH (1, 2, 5, 9, 10, 14, 18). Duchesse d'Oldenbourg (20). DUTCHESS (13). DUTCHESS OF OLDENBERG (15). DUTCHESS OF OLDENBURGH (6, 7, 8). Dutchess of Oldenburgh (13). New Brunswick (34). OLDENBURG (23, 26, 39, 45, 48, 49). Oldenburg (35, 37). OLDENBURGH (30, 34). OLDENBURG, Duchess of (40, 42, 46, 47).

This Russian apple is known throughout the West either by the name Duchess, or by the full name Duchess of Oldenburg; the American Pomological Society has abbreviated the full name to Oldenburg, but this has not been generally accepted by Western fruit growers. In European nurseries it is propagated under the names of Charlamowsky and Borowitsky. It was early imported into the West, coming to this country by the way of England and it was the extreme hardiness of this variety in the early test winters that kept up the hopes of prairie orchardists in time of great discouragement and led to the importations of more varieties from Russia (42).

Oldenburg is one of the most valuable of the Russian apples thus far introduced into this country. It is of good size and attractive appearance. It is generally highly esteemed for home use on account of its excellent culinary qualities and with some fruit growers it has proved a very profitable variety for the commercial orchard. When properly grown and carefully handled it stands shipment pretty well and sells well for a variety of its season. In some few localities in Western New York it is grown in sufficient quantities so that it can be shipped in car lots to distant markets, but in very many places it is produced in greater quantities than the local markets can absorb and yet not in quantities large enough so that it can be economically shipped to distant markets. Since the fruit is quite perishable it does not stand heat well before shipment and goes down rather quickly, particularly if the weather is unfavorable. When sent to distant markets it should be shipped under ice. The fruit ripens in succession so that several pickings are required in order to secure the crop in prime marketable condition. It is in season during late August and September, but it may be used for culinary purposes before it is fully ripe. The tree is highly valued because of its great hardiness. It is vigorous when young but with age it becomes a rather moderate or slow grower. It is only moderately long-lived, but is a reliable cropper, yielding good crops biennially, often with lighter crops alternating. Generally speaking, the trees require good cultivation, thorough fertilizing and careful spraying in order to secure the best commercial results. The fruit hangs fairly well to the tree till it is ripe. It is quite uniform in size and quality, with but a small percentage of loss from unmarketable fruit.

Historical. This is one of the four pioneers among Russian apples in America, the other three being Alexander, Tetofsky and Red Astrachan (38). These four varieties were imported by the Massachusetts Horticultural Society from the London, England, Horticultural Society about 1835. Oldenburg was brought to England from Russia about twenty years prior to that date. It was tested by Robert Manning, Superintendent of the Test Garden of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society at Salem who published the following description in 1838 (3): "A valuable and handsome apple said to be of Russian origin. The size is middling, form round and rather flat; skin of a beautiful yellow, striped with red; flavor very pleasant and good. It bears well and ripens in September and October." In 1850 Hovey wrote, "Mr. Manning, we believe, first proved the Duchess of Oldenburg and gave a brief account of it in his Book of Fruits. Since then it has been considerably disseminated, and though yet far from being common is to be found in many fine collections of fruit" (9). Later it became disseminated throughout the Middle West and Northwest where it proved to be much superior in hardiness to Baldwin, Rhode Island Greening, Northern Spy and other varieties which have been commonly cultivated in this state. Its ability to withstand severe climates encouraged the importation of other Russian sorts some of which have proved valuable in the northern portion of the apple belt. Oldenburg is commonly listed by nurserymen (31) and its planting both in home orchards and in commercial orchards is increasing in this state.

TREE. Tree medium in size. Form at first upright spreading but eventually roundish. Twigs moderately long, curved, slender; internodes long. Bark dark brown, lightly mottled with scarf-skin; slightly pubescent. Lenticels scattering, small to medium, oblong, not raised. Buds medium size, plump, obtuse, free, slightly pubescent.

FRUIT. Fruit medium to large, averaging above medium, uniform in size and shape. Form roundish oblate to oblate, regular, symmetrical. Stem short to sometimes medium, moderately slender. Cavity acute to acuminate, deep, broad, usually partly covered with greenish-russet. Calyx medium to rather large, usually closed; lobes rather broad, acute. Basin moderately deep to deep, wide, abrupt, smooth or with small mammiform protuberances. Skin moderately thick, tender, smooth, pale greenish-yellow or pale yellow, almost covered with irregular splashes and stripes of bright red mottled and shaded with crimson. Dots scattering, small, light colored. Prevailing effect red striped; attractive. Calyx tube moderately long, rather wide, funnel-shape with broad truncate cylinder or approaching urn-shape. Stamens median. Core medium to rather large, axile; cells symmetrical, closed or slightly open; core lines clasping. Carpels broadly ovate, slightly emarginate. Seeds medium to rather large, wide, obtuse to acute, moderately plump, dark brown. Flesh tinged with yellow, rather firm, moderately fine, crisp, tender, juicy, sprightly subacid, aromatic, good to very good for culinary purposes. It has too much acidity for a good dessert apple. Season late August and September.

— S.A. Beach, The Apples of New York, Vol. 2 (1905)

Oldenburg

The Oldenburg, generally called the Duchess of Oldenburg, is a Russian apple. In European nurseries is called Charlmowsky and Borowitsky. It was brought to this country from England, and because of its extreme hardiness became popular with the settlers on the prairies of Illinois, Iowa, and other north central states where the winters are severe. It is of good size, attractive in appearance, and is one of the most valuable Russian varieties ever brought to this country. It ripens in the northern states about the last of August and the first of September, and is generally highly esteemed for home use on account of being a good cooker. The fruit is perishable and does not stand shipment well, but when carefully handled it may be considered a fair commercial variety for its season.

The tree is vigorous and hardy, but inclines to slow growth with age. Its form is at first upright, spreading; but later becomes roundish; twigs moderately long, curved, slender, with dark brown bark.

Fruit medium to large, average above medium, uniform in size and shape. Form roundish to oblate, regular, symmetrical. Skin moderately thick, tender, smooth, pale greenish yellow or pale yellow, almost covered with irregular splashes and stripes of bright red mottled and shaded with crimson; prevailing effect, red striped. The flesh is tinged with yellow, rather firm, moderately fine, crisp, tender, juicy, sprightly subacid, aromatic.

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

Duchess of Oldenburgh.

Foreign. Tree, vigorous, with dark, upright shoots, productive, valued for cooking and market. Fruit, medium to large, roundish flattened, light red, striped and splashed on yellow ; stem, short ; cavity, acuminate ; basin, deep; flesh, yellowish white, sharp sub-acid. August and September Very fine at the North in Canada.

— F.R. Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865)

Duchess—This Russian apple is known throughout the west as Duchess; the full name is Duchess of Oldenburg; the American Pomological Society has abbreviated the name to Oldenburg, but this name has not been generally accepted by western fruit growers. In European nurseries it is propagated under the name of Charlamowsky and Borowitsky. It was early imported into the west coming to us by way of England and it was the extreme hardiness of this variety in the early test winters that kept up the hopes of prairie orchardists in time of great discouragement and led to the importations of more varieties from Russia. For cut see frontispiece and for description see Oldenburg.

"DUCHESS GROUP. Duchess; Duchess of Oldenburg; Oldenburg; Arabian, 184; Borovinka, 245; White Krim; Anisovka or Anisette, 185; Glass Green.

DESCRIPTION: Duchess—Size, 6; form, roundish oblate; color, greenish yellow with red stripes; cavity, regular, medium deep, narrow, light russeted; stem, medium; basin, broad, corrugated; calyx, half open; flesh, light yellow, rather coarse; core, medium, closed; flavor, rather sharp acid; season, August; origin, Russia; tree, medium upright.

A. G. Tuttle: My Glass Green colors up more than Duchess, and keeps its flavor longer than Duchess after coloring. It is a better apple in my experience to grow than Duchess. Of late years I have set Glass Green instead of Duchess, as it is a better tree, and more valuable because keeping its quality longer after coloring.

C. G. Patten: The Anisovka I got from Dr. Regel is distinctly of the Anis family and of very upright habit. Peterson of Waconia and Reeves of Waverly say that Borovinka is better than Duchess.

S. B. Green: That is J. M. Underwood's opinion.

C. Wedge: Mr. Peterson said his Borovinka was a better keeper, but his Duchess were old decrepit trees, while his Borovinka were young trees.'' (Rus. Pom. Com.)

— N.E. Hansen, A Study of Northwestern Apples (1902)

Oldenburgh.* Medium or rather large, roundish, a little flattened at the ends; light red in broad broken stripes and splashes on yellow ground; stem short, in an acuminate cavity; basin deep and narrow; flesh yellowish white, sub-acid, very handsome. Good for cooking. Early autumn. Shoots dark, ascending. Very hardy. Succeeds well at the West and North. The strong growth of the tree, its early bearing and endurance of severe winters, and the fair and handsome appearance of the fruit, render it one of the most valuable sorts for the West. Russian. Fig. 387.

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

A young bearing tree, often fruiting the first or second year after setting. Trees require good drainage and being planted closely, and also prefer rich ground. Never miss a crop. Large fine quality fruit highly esteemed. All kinds of soils suit the Duchess. We have of this variety, Duchess are being planted heavily and in Mich and Minnesota

— Stark Bros. Nurseries & Orchards Co., Stark Bros. Year Book (1910) (1910)

Oldenburg, Duchess of. — This well-known Russian variety is the hardiest of the old list, its endurance of severe winters encouraged the importation of other sorts from Russia.

Fruit large; form roundish oblate, regular; surface smooth, greenish yellow, almost wholly covered with stripes and splashes, mixed on sunny side with crimson; a handsome fruit; dots white, numerous, minute; cavity deep, regular, acute, small radiating patch of russet in bottom; stem short to medium; basin abrupt, regular, small protuberances around the eye; calyx closed; segments long, broad, connivent. Core closed; cells ovate, axile; tube funnel-shaped; stamens median; flesh white, sprightly acid. August.

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

DUCHESS OF OLDENBURG. Ronalds, p. 6. F., Borovitsky ; G., Charlamovski. (Baroveski, Borowinka.) Culinary or dessert, August to September, medium, 3¼ by 2¼, round, flattened, regular. Colour, palest yellow, with strong red stripes. Flesh, soft, white, sub-acid. Eye, closed in a deep even basin. Stem, slender in a deep narrow cavity. Growth, vigorous, upright ; fertility, good. Leaf, medium, upfolded, undulating, nearly serrate. Origin, Russian. Introduced into England in 1824. Of most attractive appearance, and a refreshing summer fruit.

— E.A. Bunyard, A Handbook of Hardy Fruits (1920)

OLDENBURG. Fig. 39. Duchess. Duchess of Oldenburg. Oldenburg, still one of the best general purpose apples of its season, was the first of the Russian apples, and inspired interest in a group of varieties which has made fruit-growing possible in the colder parts of America. The apples are handsome and well flavored, being especially suitable for culinary uses. The trees, while neither large nor long-lived and while quite susceptible to disease, come in bearing early, are hardy and productive, and are especially fitted for planting as fillers among permanent trees. The variety is preeminently an apple of commerce and thrives north and south, east and west, on many soils, but always requires good care. Oldenburg was imported from England to America in 1835.

Tree medium in size, upright-spreading. Fruit medium to large, uniform in size and shape, round-oblate or oblate, regular, symmetrical; stem short, slender; cavity acute, deep, broad, usually partly covered with green-russet; calyx large, usually closed; lobes broad, acute; basin deep, wide, abrupt, smooth or with small mammiform protuberances; skin thick, tender, smooth, pale yellow, covered with irregular splashes and stripes of bright red, mottled and shaded with crimson; dots scattering, small, light colored; prevailing effect red-striped; calyx-tube long, wide, funnel-shape with broad truncate cylinder; stamens median; core large, axile; cells symmetrical, closed or open; core-lines clasping; carpels broad-ovate, emarginate; seeds large, wide, obtuse, plump, dark brown; flesh yellow, firm, fine, crisp, tender, juicy, sprightly subacid, aromatic; good to very good for culinary purposes; August and September.

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

Old Russian variety, brought to the United States in the early 19th century. Purch. from Ellwanger & Barry, Rochester, N.Y., 1883. Reporting station NyG: Fruit medium-large, uniform, round to oblate. Skin pale pr.-yel., nearly covered with irregular splashes of red. Flesh nearly yellow, crisp juicy, aromatic, subacid, very good culinary. Late August–September. Tree medium in size and vigor. Reporting stations NJ3, KaM, MeO, MiE, and PaU: Early summer, very hardy, early blooming. Reporting station WaP: H. F. Maxon, Walla Walla, Wash. Station No. AP-H-173. Reporting station NdM: Station. Fruit 4/lb., oblate, red stripe, tart, fair quality. Middle August. Blight susceptible. Transmits hardiness to progeny. Reporting station WyC: Plumfield Nurs., Fremont, Neb. Origin Russia. Extremely hardy and productive. Early. Station No. 33411. Reporting station MdG: PI No. 148150. New York 1944. Reporting station WaP: PI No. 148150. Glenn Dale, Md. Station No. AP-H-252.

— H.H. Fisher (USDA ARS), A Survey of Apple Clones in the United States (1963)