Fearns Pippin
Apple
Origin/History
An English variety imported to America. Both Coxe (1817) and Downing (1900) independently note that it is better regarded in England than in America; Coxe writes that "in England, it is an admired table fruit, but is inferior to many of our fine winter apples." Downing's entry is attributed to Lind.
Tree
The tree is upright in growth habit (Downing), with Coxe describing it as having "a handsome form" and growing "tall and straight." Downing characterizes it as vigorous, hardy, and productive.
Fruit
Size: The two sources conflict. Coxe describes the fruit as small; Downing describes it as medium.
Form: Coxe describes the form as flat. Downing describes it as roundish oblate.
Stem: Not described in source.
Cavity: Not described in source.
Calyx: Not described in source.
Basin: Not described in source.
Skin: The two sources give substantially different color descriptions. Coxe: "a beautiful scarlet next to the sun, paler on the other side, clouded with dark red streaks, and mixed with small white spots." Downing: "greenish yellow, becoming red in the sun."
Flesh/Flavor: Downing describes the flesh as yellowish white, firm, juicy, rich, and pleasant. Coxe does not describe the flesh separately beyond its table quality.
Core/Seeds: Not described in source.
Season
Coxe gives October as the ripening month, with keeping until February. Downing gives November through March.
Uses
Described by both sources as a table fruit. Coxe explicitly notes it is considered an admired table fruit in England but inferior to many fine American winter apples.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
Nursery Catalog Sources
Found in 2 catalogs (1900–1911) from England
- George Bunyard & Co. , Royal Nurseries, Maidstone, Kent , England — 1900
- James Veitch & Sons , Ltd., Royal Exotic Nursery, Chelsea, London (also Coombe Wood, Langley, and Feltham) , England — 1911
View original book sources (2)
— William Coxe, A View of the Cultivation of Fruit Trees (1817)NO. 100. FEARNS PIPPIN.
This apple was imported from England : its colour is a beautiful scarlet next to the sun, paler on the other side, clouded with dark red streaks, and mixed with small white spots the size is small; the form flat; it ripens in October, and will keep till February : in England, it is an admired table fruit, but is inferior to many of our fine winter apples. The tree has a handsome form, and grows tall and straight.
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Fearns Pippin. Clifton Nonsuch. Ferris Pippin. Florence Pippin. An English variety, not as desirable here as there. Tree upright, vigorous, hardy, and productive. Fruit medium, roundish oblate, greenish yellow, becoming red in the sun. Flesh yellowish white, firm, juicy, rich, and pleasant. November, March. (Lind.)