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GOLD MEDAL

Apple

GOLD MEDAL

Origin and History

Raised by Mr. Troughton, a nurseryman at Preston, and introduced about 1882. Originally called Ryland Surprise. Now little grown, having been largely replaced by Grenadier.

Tree

Growth sturdy and compact, making twiggy shoots which become tortuous as the tree ages. Fertile bearer. Leaf round, rather large, slightly upfolded, undulated, serrate.

Fruit

Size and form: Large, 4¼ by 3¼, flat conical

Colour: Yellowish-green

Stem and cavity: Stem very short, set in a very wide and deep cavity

Calyx and basin: Eye closed, segments reflexed, seated in a shallow and ribbed basin

Flesh and flavor: Soft, white, slightly acid

Season

End August to September

Uses

Culinary

Other

Often confused with Grenadier, to which it was sometimes mixed during introduction.

Book Sources

Described in 1 period pomological work

Nursery Catalog Sources

Found in 2 catalogs (1900) from England

  • George Bunyard & Co. , Royal Nurseries, Maidstone, Kent , England — 1900 — listed as Gold Medal (The Guild) or Crystal Palace
  • Central Experimental Farm , Dominion Department of Agriculture, Agassiz, British Columbia (under test; Bulletin No. 3, Second Series) — 1900
View original book sources (1)

GOLD MEDAL. (Ryland Surprise.) Culinary, end August to September, large, 4¼ by 3¼, flat conical. Colour, yellowish-green. Flesh soft, white, slightly acid. Eye, closed, segments reflexed, in a shallow and ribbed basin. Stem, very short in a very wide and deep cavity. Growth, sturdy and compact, making twiggy shoots, which become tortuous when tree ages; fertile. Leaf, round, rather large, slightly upfolded, undulated, serrate. Origin, raised by Mr. Troughton, a nurseryman, at Preston, and introduced about 1882. Originally called Ryland Surprise. Now little grown, Grenadier having replaced it. It is often confused with this apple owing to their having been mixed when introduced; see under Grenadier.

— E.A. Bunyard, A Handbook of Hardy Fruits (1920)
Ryland Surprise Golden Medal