Golden Pearmain
Apple
Golden Pearmain
Origin/History
The Golden Pearmain appears under this name in at least two distinct regional traditions, which may represent separate varieties sharing a common name.
Coxe (1817) records the Golden Pearmain as known in New York and East Jersey under the names "Ruckmans" or "Dutch Pearmain," and in other places as the "Red Russet." Coxe characterizes it as a most valuable apple for cider and for family use.
Warder (1867) treats the Golden Pearmain as a Southern variety, specifically designated "[Of Kentucky]," received from J. S. Downer of Kentucky, who procured it from Tennessee; its ultimate origin is recorded as unknown. Warder appends the cross-reference "See Columbian Russet," suggesting a possible identity or close relationship between this Kentucky strain and the Columbian Russet.
Tree
The two sources conflict substantially on bearing habit and growth character, which may reflect regional or varietal differences.
Coxe (1817) describes the tree as growing luxuriantly, with strong shoots and a close compact head, and as a great and uniform bearer.
Warder (1867) describes the tree as vigorous, but tardy and shy in bearing. Shoots are stout and dark; foliage medium.
Fruit
Size
Coxe (1817): middling. Warder (1867): small to medium.
Form
The two sources conflict directly on form. Coxe (1817) describes the form as rather flat. Warder (1867) describes the fruit as globular, rather conical, truncated, and lop-sided.
Stem
Warder (1867): short to medium, slender. Not described in Coxe.
Cavity
Warder (1867): acute, regular. Not described in Coxe.
Calyx
Warder (1867): eye large, open. Not described in Coxe.
Basin
Warder (1867): abrupt, wide, regular. Not described in Coxe.
Skin
Coxe (1817): rough, with a large portion of bright russet, mingled with red towards the sun when fully ripe. Warder (1867): surface yellow, blushed and russeted.
Flesh and Flavor
Coxe (1817): flesh rich, tender, and rather dry.
Warder (1867): flesh yellow, breaking, fine-grained. Flavor acid, aromatic, sprightly. Quality very good, almost best.
Core and Seeds
Warder (1867): core somewhat open, meeting the eye; seeds plump and imperfect. Not described in Coxe.
Season
Coxe (1817): fruit ripens in November and keeps well through the winter.
Warder (1867): season December to February.
Uses
Coxe (1817): most valuable for cider and for family use. Warder (1867): dessert.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
View original book sources (2)
— William Coxe, A View of the Cultivation of Fruit Trees (1817)NO. 37. GOLDEN PEARMAIN.
Called in New-York and East-Jersey, the Ruckmans, or Dutch Pearmain; and in other places the Red Russet; is a most valuable apple for cider, and for family use: the size is middling, the form rather flat, the skin rough, with a large portion of bright russet, mingled with red towards the sun when fully ripe—the flesh is rich, tender, and rather dry—it is a great and uniform bearer; the tree grows luxuriantly, with strong shoots, and a close compact head—the fruit ripens in November, and keeps well through the winter.
— John A. Warder, American Pomology: Apples (1867)Golden Pearmain. — [Of Kentucky.]
This is another very promising Southern variety, received from J. S. Downer, of Kentucky; Origin unknown; he procured it from Tennessee.
Tree vigorous, but tardy and shy in bearing; Shoots stout, dark; Foliage medium.
Fruit small to medium, globular, rather conical, truncated, lop-sided; Surface yellow, blushed and russeted.
Basin abrupt, wide, regular; Eye large, open.
Cavity acute, regular; Stem short to medium, slender.
Core somewhat open, meeting the eye; Seeds plump and imperfect; Flesh yellow, breaking, fine-grained; Flavor acid, aromatic, sprightly; Quality very good, almost best; Use, dessert; Season, December, February.
— See Columbian Russet.