Foundling
Apple
USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection
Origin & History
Origin, Groton, Massachusetts. Warder (1867) notes specimens were obtained from Mr. Warren.
Tree
Moderately vigorous, spreading, productive.
Fruit
Size: Medium to large (Warder); above medium (Downing).
Form: Roundish oblate. Warder describes it as round, flattened at the ends, angular or uneven; Downing as roundish oblate, inclining to conic.
Skin: Yellowish green with deep rich red. Warder describes the red as mixed and splashed deep red; Downing as striped and shaded with deep rich red. Dots minute, indented (Warder).
Stem: Short, slender (Downing); short or medium (Warder).
Cavity: Deep, acute, wavy, green (Warder); large, somewhat furrowed (Downing).
Calyx: Closed. Eye small (Warder).
Basin: Warder describes it as wide, abrupt, folded; Downing as small, furrowed — a notable disagreement.
Core: Large, wide, open, clasping (Warder).
Seeds: Numerous, small, pointed (Warder).
Flesh: Tender, juicy. Warder describes the flesh as white and fine-grained; Downing describes it as yellow. Flavor sub-acid, aromatic (Warder); "a pleasant, rich vinous aroma" (Downing).
Quality: Good (Warder); very good (Downing).
Season & Use
August and September. A table apple (Warder).
Book Sources
Described in 3 period pomological works
View original book sources (3)
— John A. Warder, American Pomology: Apples (1867)Foundling.
"From Massachusetts. Tree moderately vigorous, spreading, productive." — [Downing.]
Fruit medium to large, round, flattened at the ends, angular or uneven; Surface yellowish-green, mixed red, splashed deep red; Dots minute, indented.
Basin wide, abrupt, folded; Eye small, closed.
Cavity deep, acute, wavy, green; Stem short or medium.
Core large, wide, open, clasping; Seeds numerous, small, pointed; Flesh white, tender, fine-grained, juicy; Flavor sub-acid, aromatic; Quality good; Use, table; Season, September.
Specimens obtained from Mr. Warren.
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)FOUNDLING.
Shirley. Groton.
Origin, Groton, Mass. Tree moderately vigorous, spreading, productive.
Fruit above medium, roundish oblate, inclining to conic. Color yellowish green, striped and shaded with deep rich red. Stalk short, slender, in a large, somewhat furrowed cavity. Calyx closed. Basin small, furrowed. Flesh yellow, tender, juicy, with a pleasant, rich vinous aroma. Very good. August, September.
— Granville Lowther (ed.), Encyclopedia of Practical Horticulture (1914)Foundling............ M rob yr G f A ...... 6 ......