Golden Pippin
AppleGolden Pippin
Origin/History
The Golden Pippin is a very old variety of English origin, probably dating from the early seventeenth century (Bunyard). It was mentioned by Evelyn in 1660 (Downing) and was intensely popular in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, though by the early twentieth century it was seldom grown (Bunyard). In its native England it has long held the highest reputation as a fine winter, table, and cider fruit (Coxe), and was regarded by English connoisseurs as "the queen of all dessert Apples," uniting the qualities of small size, fine form, and color with high flavor and durability (Downing). English writers have observed that the climate of England is peculiarly favorable to this apple. In America it does not rank very high; Coxe attributed this partly to climate but more to "the long duration of the variety, which, in its native soil, is supposed to have diminished the excellence of its flavour and the vigour of its growth." Downing likewise notes it "does not succeed well here." Floy remarked, "The English Golden Pippin grows with delicate small shoots and is not calculated for an orchard; but if properly managed it makes a beautiful espalier tree and is an abundant bearer. * * * The apple is not much known in this country; the kind called here Golden Pippin is a very different fruit" (quoted in Beach Vol. 1).
The name Golden Pippin has been applied to several distinct varieties (Beach Vol. 2, Hedrick, Downing). Beach Vol. 2 notes that in addition to the English Golden Pippin, the Golden Pippin of Westchester County (also called American Golden Pippin) is described under the name Golding, which is the name now accepted for that variety by pomologists. Beyond the English variety, the most important American Golden Pippin belongs to the Fall Pippin group; its origin is unknown but it dates back at least a century (Hedrick), long in cultivation in New York (Beach Vol. 2), where in Central and Western New York it is often called York Pippin. Its culture is confined to New York (Hedrick), and it is generally found mostly in old orchards, its cultivation not increasing (Beach Vol. 2). A distinct Golden Pippin was an old apple grown many years ago in Adams, Massachusetts, from whence it was brought to Pittstown and christened after that place (Downing, Beach Vol. 2); this variety appears no longer propagated in New York (Beach Vol. 2). Elliott describes yet another as "an old American sort." Downing also mentions a Golden Pippin sometimes known as Porter in Michigan.
Tree
Sources give differing accounts by strain:
- English Golden Pippin: Tree small, branches short, growth delicate (Coxe). Growth weak; fertility moderate (Bunyard). Mr. Knight in his treatise on orchards said it succeeds best on sandy soils (Coxe); Downing likewise notes it "requires a strong, deep, sandy loam" and is "a great bearer." Bunyard notes that only in warm years and on light soils does it reach first-class flavor. Leaf rather small, narrow, pale, slightly upfolded, finely and sharply serrate (Bunyard). Veitch describes it as "an old variety" and "a shy bearer."
- American / Fall Pippin group Golden Pippin (Beach Vol. 2, Hedrick): Tree large, spreading, hardy, vigorous, healthy, long-lived and reliable in bearing. More spreading than that of Fall Pippin, and perhaps somewhat hardier. When full grown becomes a pretty large tree. A reliable cropper, bearing good to heavy crops biennially or sometimes annually. There is apt to be considerable loss by premature dropping of the fruit, and unless proper preventive measures are taken the crop may be seriously injured by apple scab and codling moth, but with proper treatment these pests may be kept under good control. Very vigorous and very productive on deep rich soils; on light soils it is often a shy bearer, the fruit much smaller (Downing).
- Pittstown Pippin strain (Downing, Beach Vol. 2): Tree upright vigorous grower, with large strong branches. Shoots dull brownish red, slightly downy.
- Elliott's "old American sort": Strong growth, not an early, but productive bearer.
Fruit
Size and Form
Accounts vary sharply by strain:
- English Golden Pippin: Size very small (Coxe, Downing, Beach Vol. 1, Thomas). Bunyard gives measurements of 2 by 1¾ inches, form oblong-round, regular. Coxe describes the form as rather flat; Downing as round and regularly formed; Thomas as roundish.
- Elliott's Golden Pippin: Fruit large; form variable, sometimes ribbed, roundish flattened.
- American Fall Pippin group Golden Pippin (Beach Vol. 2, Hedrick): Fruit very large or large, pretty uniform in size and shape. Form roundish to roundish oblate, sometimes slightly conic, often with a broad flat base and broadly ribbed toward the apex. Downing describes it as very large, roundish, ribbed, with specimens sometimes weighing 20 ounces — "one of the largest of its class."
- Pittstown Pippin strain (Downing, Beach Vol. 2): Fruit rather large, roundish oblate, sometimes conic, and sides unequal.
- Michigan "Porter" Golden Pippin (Downing): Medium size, roundish oblate.
- Rivers describes fruit as "medium, very fine and delicate."
Stem and Cavity
- English Golden Pippin (Bunyard): Stem very short, in a small narrow cavity.
- Elliott: Stem short, stout; cavity deep.
- American Fall Pippin group (Beach Vol. 2, Hedrick): Stem long to medium, thick, sometimes swollen. Cavity acute to acuminate (Beach Vol. 2) / acute (Hedrick), medium in depth, broad, usually rather symmetrical, sometimes lipped, russeted and often with heavy, outspreading russet rays.
Calyx and Basin
- English Golden Pippin (Bunyard): Eye usually closed in a broad shallow slightly plaited basin.
- Elliott: Calyx closed.
- American Fall Pippin group (Beach Vol. 2, Hedrick): Calyx rather large (Beach Vol. 2) / large (Hedrick), closed. Basin deep, moderately wide to wide (Beach Vol. 2) / wide (Hedrick), abrupt, slightly furrowed (Beach Vol. 2) / furrowed (Hedrick), sometimes irregularly compressed.
Skin
- English Golden Pippin: Coxe describes the skin as rough, the colour a deep rich yellow, mixed with russet. Downing gives gold color, dotted with gray russety dots, with also obscure white specks imbedded under the skin. Bunyard: golden-yellow, with slight russet. Thomas: yellow. Beach Vol. 1: "a rather small, smooth, white or yellowish apple with a shade of red towards the base." Veitch: skin yellow, staining to the side facing the sun with crimson-red.
- Elliott: Golden yellow, with a few dots, sometimes net russet.
- American Fall Pippin group (Beach Vol. 2, Hedrick): Skin rather tender (Beach Vol. 2) / tender (Hedrick), green or yellowish changing to a deeper and rather attractive yellow when fully mature, sometimes with bronze blush and russet flecks. Dots small to rather large and conspicuous (Beach Vol. 2) / large and conspicuous (Hedrick), greenish and submerged or with russet point. Downing: greenish yellow, becoming quite yellow at full maturity, slight blush of brown crimson in sun-exposed specimens.
- Pittstown Pippin strain (Downing, Beach Vol. 2): Greenish yellow with a blush in sun exposure.
- Michigan "Porter" Golden Pippin (Downing): Greenish yellow.
Flesh and Flavor
- English Golden Pippin: Coxe: flesh yellow, rich, and sprightly. Downing: flesh yellowish, crisp, rather acid, but with a rich, brisk, high flavor; "Very good." Bunyard: flesh crisp, yellow, aromatic. Thomas: flesh yellow, with a rich, sub-acid flavor.
- Elliott: Flesh yellowish, tender, juicy, rich, vinous, aromatic.
- American Fall Pippin group (Beach Vol. 2, Hedrick): Flesh yellowish (Beach Vol. 2) / yellow (Hedrick), coarse, rather tender (Beach Vol. 2) / tender (Hedrick), juicy, agreeable mild subacid, somewhat aromatic (Beach Vol. 2) / aromatic (Hedrick); good to very good. Fruit is large, coarse-grained, with a very pleasant flavor. Compared with Fall Pippin, the fruit is harder, keeps longer and stands shipping better in hot weather; a little coarser in size, texture of flesh, and flavor, but keeps longer, ships better (Hedrick). Downing describes flesh as yellowish, coarse, juicy, tender, mild subacid, "Good to very good."
- Pittstown Pippin strain (Downing, Beach Vol. 2): Flesh yellowish, tender, juicy, sprightly subacid.
Core and Seeds
- Elliott: Core large.
- American Fall Pippin group (Beach Vol. 2, Hedrick): Calyx tube wide, conical. Stamens median to somewhat basal (Beach Vol. 2) / median (Hedrick). Core rather small (Beach Vol. 2) / small (Hedrick), somewhat abaxile (Beach Vol. 2) / abaxile (Hedrick); cells open; core lines meeting or slightly clasping (Beach Vol. 2) / meeting or clasping (Hedrick). Carpels roundish or approaching elliptical (Beach Vol. 2) / round or elliptical (Hedrick), sometimes obovate, heavily tufted. Seeds few, often not perfectly developed, medium size, irregular, rather dark brown (Beach Vol. 2) / dark brown (Hedrick), rather plump (Beach Vol. 2) / plump (Hedrick), acute.
- Pittstown Pippin strain (Downing, Beach Vol. 2): Core rather large.
- Downing's American large-fruited Golden Pippin: Core small.
Season
- English Golden Pippin: November to March (Downing, Bunyard, Beach Vol. 1). Winter (Thomas). A fine winter fruit (Coxe).
- Elliott: November, February.
- American Fall Pippin group (Beach Vol. 2, Hedrick): Late September to December or January (Beach Vol. 2) / September to January (Hedrick). In Western New York its season in ordinary storage extends from about September 20 to January 1. It holds its flavor and quality well for a late fall and early winter sort (Beach Vol. 2). Rivers: October–December.
- Pittstown Pippin strain (Downing, Beach Vol. 2): September and October.
- Michigan "Porter" Golden Pippin (Downing): Ripe in September and October.
Uses
- English Golden Pippin: Dessert (Bunyard). A fine winter, table, and cider fruit (Coxe). A very valuable dessert and culinary apple in England (Beach Vol. 1).
- American Fall Pippin group (Beach Vol. 2, Hedrick): Suitable for either dessert or culinary uses. Frequently brings better prices than Fall Pippin, and is sometimes exported. Grown to a considerable extent in various parts of New York state and in New England; in some sections regarded as one of the most desirable of the fall varieties for commercial planting.
- Pittstown Pippin strain (Downing, Beach Vol. 2): Good for cooking.
Subtypes/Variants
Downing states: "There are many varieties of the English Golden Pippin, differing but little in general appearance and size, and very little in flavor, from the old sort, but of rather more thrifty growth; the best of these are Hughes', and Kirke's new Cluster Golden Pippins." Beach Vol. 1 confirms there are many varieties of the English Golden Pippin, the fruit of which differs but little from that of the old variety but the trees are more vigorous; none of these appear to have gained favorable recognition in America. Bunyard adds: "There are many seedlings of this sort of doubtful distinctness."
Distinct American varieties bearing the Golden Pippin name include:
- The Golden Pippin of Westchester County / American Golden Pippin, now described under the accepted name Golding (Beach Vol. 2).
- The large American Golden Pippin of the Fall Pippin group, considerably grown in New England and Western New York (Downing, Beach Vol. 2, Hedrick).
- The Pittstown Pippin, originating in Adams, Massachusetts and brought to Pittstown (Downing, Beach Vol. 2).
- A Golden Pippin sometimes known as Porter in Michigan (Downing).
- Elliott's "old American sort."
Downing notes: "There are also several other Apples under this popular name, many of which doubtless will be found identical with named sorts."
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 8 period pomological works
- Beach, The Apples of New York Vol. 1 (1905)
- Beach, The Apples of New York Vol. 2 (1905)
- Downing, Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)
- Bunyard, A Handbook of Hardy Fruits (1920)
- Coxe, A View of the Cultivation of Fruit Trees (1817)
- Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865)
- Hedrick, Cyclopedia of Hardy Fruits (1922)
- Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903) — listed as English Golden Pippin
USDA Nomenclature (1905)
From W.H. Ragan, Nomenclature of the Apple, USDA Bulletin No. 56
(Hansen says this originated in Minnesota.
Nursery Catalog Sources
Found in 2 catalogs (1897–1911) from England
- Kelway & Son , Langport, Somerset , England — 1897
- James Veitch & Sons , Ltd., Royal Exotic Nursery, Chelsea, London (also Coombe Wood, Langley, and Feltham) , England — 1911
View original book sources (10)
— William Coxe, A View of the Cultivation of Fruit Trees (1817)NO. 64. GOLDEN PIPPIN.
This apple possesses the highest reputation in England, as a fine winter, table, and cider fruit: the size is very small, the form rather flat, the skin rough, the colour a deep rich yellow, mixed with russet—the flesh yellow, rich, and sprightly: the tree is small, the branches short, the growth delicate; and by Mr. Knight in his treatise on orchards, is said to succeed best on sandy soils. There appears to be some justness in a remark of English writers, that the climate of England is peculiarly favourable to this apple—in this country it does not rank very high in the scale of good apples; this may proceed from climate in some degree, but it is, I apprehend, more to be ascribed to the long duration of the variety, which, in its native soil, is supposed to have diminished the excellence of its flavour and the vigour of its growth.
— F.R. Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865)Golden Pippin.
American Golden Pippin, | Ribbed Pippin, New York Greening, | Newtown Greening.
An old American sort, of strong growth, not an early, but productive bearer. Fruit, large ; form, variable, sometimes ribbed, roundish flattened ; golden yellow, with a few dots, sometimes net russet ; stem, short, stout ; cavity, deep ; calyx, closed ; flesh, yellowish, tender, juicy, rich, vinous, aromatic ; core, large. November, February.
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Golden Pippin. Golden Pippin. London Golden Pippin. Old Golden Pippin. Warter's Golden Pippin. Balgone Pippin. Bayfordbury Golden Pippin. Milton Golden Pippin. Pepin d'Or. Russet Golden Pippin. Pomme d'Or. Herefordshire Golden Pippin. Koening's Pippelin. Reinette d'Angleterre.
The Golden Pippin of the English is the queen of all dessert Apples, in the estimation of the English connoisseurs, as it unites the qualities of small size, fine form, and color, with high flavor and durability. It is a very old variety, being mentioned by Evelyn in 1660, but it still thrives well in many parts of England.
Fruit small, round, and regularly formed, gold color, dotted with gray russety dots, with also obscure white specks imbedded under the skin. Flesh yellowish, crisp, rather acid, but with a rich, brisk, high flavor. Very good. A great bearer, but requires a strong, deep, sandy loam. November to March. Does not succeed well here.
There are many varieties of the English Golden Pippin, differing but little in general appearance and size, and very little in flavor, from the old sort, but of rather more thrifty growth; the best of these are Hughes', and Kirke's new Cluster Golden Pippins.
Golden Pippin. Pittstown Pippin.
This is an old Apple, grown many years ago in Adams, Mass., from whence it was brought to Pittstown, and has been recently christened after that place. The tree is an upright vigorous grower, with large strong branches. Shoots dull brownish red, slightly downy.
Fruit rather large, roundish oblate, sometimes conic, and sides unequal, greenish yellow with a blush in sun exposure. Flesh yellowish, tender, juicy, sprightly subacid. Core rather large. Good for cooking. September and October.
Golden Pippin. Pound Royal of some. York Pippin. Butter Pippin. Large Golden Pippin. Mammoth.
This Apple is considerably grown in the New England States and Western New York, and is one of the largest of its class, specimens sometimes weighing 20 ounces. Tree very vigorous and very productive on deep rich soils; on light soils it is often a shy bearer, the fruit much smaller.
Fruit very large, roundish, ribbed, greenish yellow, becoming quite yellow at full maturity, slight blush of brown crimson in sun-exposed specimens. Flesh yellowish, coarse, juicy, tender, mild subacid. Core small. Good to very good. November, December.
There is another Golden Pippin sometimes known as Porter in Michigan, which is of medium size, roundish oblate, greenish yellow, mild subacid. Ripe in September and October.
There are also several other Apples under this popular name, many of which doubtless will be found identical with named sorts.
— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)English Golden Pippin. Small, roundish, yellow; flesh yellow, with a rich, sub-acid flavor. Winter. English.
— S.A. Beach, The Apples of New York, Vol. 1 (1905)GOLDEN PIPPIN.
REFERENCES. 1. Forsyth, 1803:52. 2. Coxe, 1817:138. fig. 3. Thacher, 1822:125. 4. N. Y. Bd. Agr. Mem., 1826:477. 5. Floy-Lindley, 1833:12. 6. Mag. Hort., 1:265. 1835. 7. Downing, 1845:112. fig. 8. Thomas, 1849:181, 189. fig. 9. Cole, 1849:128. 10. Emmons, Nat. Hist. N. Y., 3:82. 1851. 11. Hooper, 1857:41. 12. Elliott, 1858:171. 13. Warder, 1867:720. 14. Leroy, 1873:510. 15. Hogg, 1884:91. 16. Bailey, An. Hort., 1892:240.
SYNONYMS. D'OR D'ANGLETERRE (14). ENGLISH GOLDEN PIPPIN (8). English Golden Pippin (7, 12, 14). Old Golden Pippin (7, 12, 14). Pepin d'Or (5, 7).
A rather small, smooth, white or yellowish apple with a shade of red towards the base. In season from November to March. In England it has long been esteemed as a very valuable dessert and culinary apple (7, 14, 15). It does not succeed well here (7). There are many varieties of the English Golden Pippin, the fruit of which differs but little from that of the old variety but the trees are more vigorous (7). None of these appear to have gained favorable recognition in this country. Floy says, "The English Golden Pippin grows with delicate small shoots and is not calculated for an orchard; but if properly managed it makes a beautiful espalier tree and is an abundant bearer. * * * The apple is not much known in this country; the kind called here Golden Pippin is a very different fruit" (5). The Golden Pippins of New York and New England are fall apples. For an account of them the reader is referred to the succeeding volume.
— S.A. Beach, The Apples of New York, Vol. 2 (1905)THE GOLDEN PIPPINS.
The name Golden Pippin has been applied to several distinct varieties, the most important of which are mentioned below.
The Golden Pippin of England is a small, yellowish apple with shade of red, which is in season from November to March. This has already been described in Volume I, page 141.
The Golden Pippin of Westchester County, also known under the name of American Golden Pippin and by various other synonyms, is described as Golding, page 82, which is the name now accepted for this variety by pomologists. In addition to the varieties described below under the name Golden Pippin there are several other sorts which have been known under this name,
(I) GOLDEN PIPPIN.
REFERENCES. 1. Downing, 1869:195. 2. Thomas, 1875:500. 3. Bailey, An. Hort., 1892:240. 4. Ragan, U. S. B. P. I. Bul., 56:123. 1905. 5. Ib., 56:347. 1905. SYNONYMS. Butter Pippin (1). Golden Pippin (1, 2, 3, 4, 5). Large Golden Pippin (1). Mammoth (1, 2). Pound Royal (2, of some 1). York Pippin (1, 5).
This variety belongs in the Fall Pippin group of apples. In Central and Western New York it is often called York Pippin. The fruit is large, coarse-grained, with a very pleasant flavor, and is suitable for either dessert or culinary uses. As compared with Fall Pippin the fruit is harder, keeps longer and stands shipping better in hot weather. In Western New York its season in ordinary storage extends from about September 20 to January 1. It holds its flavor and quality well for a late fall and early winter sort. It frequently brings better prices than Fall Pippin, and we are informed it is sometimes exported. The tree is more spreading than that of Fall Pippin, and is perhaps somewhat hardier. It is generally healthy, vigorous, quite long-lived, and when full grown becomes a pretty large tree. It is a reliable cropper, bearing good to heavy crops biennially or sometimes annually. There is apt to be considerable loss by premature dropping of the fruit, and unless proper preventive measures are taken the crop may be seriously injured by apple scab and codling moth, but with proper treatment these pests may be kept under good control. Golden Pippin is grown to a considerable extent in various parts of New York state and in New England. In some sections it is regarded as one of the most desirable of the fall varieties for commercial planting.
Historical. The origin of this variety is unknown. It has long been in cultivation. In New York it is now found mostly in old orchards and, generally speaking, its cultivation is not increasing.
FRUIT.
Fruit very large or large, pretty uniform in size and shape. Form roundish to roundish oblate, sometimes slightly conic, often with a broad flat base and broadly ribbed toward the apex. Stem long to medium, thick, sometimes swollen. Cavity acute to acuminate, medium in depth, broad, usually rather symmetrical, sometimes lipped, russeted and often with heavy, outspreading russet rays. Calyx rather large, closed. Basin deep, moderately wide to wide, abrupt, slightly furrowed, sometimes irregularly compressed. Skin rather tender, green or yellowish changing to a deeper and rather attractive yellow when fully mature, sometimes with bronze blush and russet flecks. Dots small to rather large and conspicuous, greenish and submerged or with russet point. Calyx tube wide, conical. Stamens median to somewhat basal. Core rather small, somewhat abaxile; cells open; core lines meeting or slightly clasping. Carpels roundish or approaching elliptical, sometimes obovate, heavily tufted. Seeds few, often not perfectly developed, medium size, irregular, rather dark brown, rather plump, acute. Flesh yellowish, coarse, rather tender, juicy, agreeable mild subacid, somewhat aromatic, good to very good. Season late September to December or January.
(II) GOLDEN PIPPIN.
REFERENCES. 1. Downing, 1869:194. 2. Bailey, An. Hort., 1892:240. SYNONYMS. Golden Pippin (1, 2). Pittstown Pippin (1).
Downing states that this is an old apple grown many years ago in Adams, Mass. Tree upright and vigorous; fruit rather large, roundish oblate, sometimes conic, greenish-yellow with blush; flesh yellowish, sprightly subacid, good for cooking; season September and October (1). It appears that this variety is no longer propagated in New York.
— E.A. Bunyard, A Handbook of Hardy Fruits (1920)GOLDEN PIPPIN. Ronalds, p. 18. F., Pépin d'Or; G., Englischer Gold Pepping. (American Plate, Balgone Pippin, Bayfordbury Pippin.) Dessert, November to March, small, 2 by 1¾, oblong-round, regular. Colour, golden-yellow, with slight russet. Flesh, crisp, yellow, aromatic. Eye, usually closed in a broad shallow slightly plaited basin. Stem, very short, in a small narrow cavity. Growth, weak; fertility, moderate. Leaf, rather small, narrow, pale, slightly upfolded, finely and sharply serrate. Origin, English, probably dating from the early seventeenth century. Intensely popular in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, but now seldom grown. There are many seedlings of this sort of doubtful distinctness. Only in warm years and on light soils does it reach first-class flavour.
— U.P. Hedrick, Cyclopedia of Hardy Fruits (1922)GOLDEN PIPPIN. Butter Pippin. Pound Royal. This name is applied to several quite distinct apples, of which the one here described is much the most important. A comparison of the descriptions will show that this variety is very similar to Fall Pippin, and that it is suitable for the same uses, adapted to the same regions, and has the same faults. The essential differences between the two are that in this sort the apple is a little coarser in size, texture of flesh, and flavor, but keeps longer, ships better, and has an even more vigorous and hardy tree. The origin of Golden Pippin is unknown, but it dates back a century at least. Its culture is confined to New York. Tree large, spreading, hardy, vigorous, healthy, long-lived and reliable in bearing. Fruit large, uniform in size and shape, round to round-oblate, sometimes conic, often with a broad, flat base and broadly ribbed toward the apex; stem long, thick, sometimes swollen; cavity acute, medium in depth, broad, usually symmetrical, sometimes lipped, russeted and often with heavy, outspreading russet rays; calyx large, closed; basin deep, wide, abrupt, furrowed, sometimes irregularly compressed; skin tender, green or yellow when mature, sometimes with bronze blush and russet flecks; dots large and conspicuous, green, submerged or with russet point; calyx-tube wide, conical; stamens median; core small, abaxile; cells open; core-lines meeting or clasping; carpels round or elliptical, sometimes obovate, heavily tufted; seeds few, often not perfectly developed, medium size, irregular, dark brown, plump, acute; flesh yellow, coarse, tender, juicy, mild subacid, aromatic; good to very good; September to January.
— James Veitch & Sons, Veitch's Fruit Trees (1911) (1911)an tree old variety, the skin is yellow, staining to the side facing the sun with crimson-red. A shy bearer.
— Thomas Rivers & Son, Thomas Rivers Catalogue of Fruits (1914) (1914)medium, very fine and delicate apple of fine - Oct.-Dec.