Golding
AppleGolding
Origin/History
Golding is an old American variety, believed to be American in origin (Warder). Downing (1900) records it as having been cultivated for more than fifty years and considered one of the most profitable apples for orchard culture and marketing, as well as superior for family use. Beach (1905) notes that in 1857 Downing wrote that although it was one of the finest American fruits and an old variety, it was not generally known. It was said to have been cultivated in Westchester and adjoining counties (New York) for more than fifty years, where it was considered profitable for market and superior for family use. Thomas (1903) likewise associates it with Westchester County. By 1905, Beach reports that Golding was seldom or never planted in New York. Listed in the London Horticultural Society Catalogue as early as 1831, and accepted on the American Pomological Society catalogue in 1877 and 1897.
Tree
Growth strong, similar to that of Rhode Island Greening, but less drooping, making a round, spreading head (Warder, Downing, Budd-Hansen). Not an early bearer — does not bear young — but very productive when a little advanced, and a popular fruit where known (Warder, Downing, Budd-Hansen). Thomas describes the tree as spreading and very productive. Beach characterizes the tree as rather large, vigorous, hardy, long-lived, and moderately productive, yielding moderate to heavy crops biennially. Wood dark reddish, downy, with prominent flattened buds (Downing).
Beach notes that the variety is much subject to scab, and a comparatively large percentage of the crop is apt to be unmarketable unless thorough treatment is given to prevent injury from insects and fungus diseases.
Fruit
Size: Medium to large (Downing, Budd-Hansen); medium or above (Beach).
Form: Variable — oblate, globular, or conic, angular or ribbed (Warder, Thomas); roundish oblate, inclining to conic, obscurely ribbed (Downing, Budd-Hansen).
Stem: Short, moderately stout (Downing, Budd-Hansen); Warder describes the stem as stout and short; Thomas notes the stalk is short and deeply set.
Cavity: Deep (Warder, Thomas); large and deep (Downing, Budd-Hansen).
Calyx: Closed (Warder, Downing, Budd-Hansen). Segments pointed, slightly recurved (Downing, Budd-Hansen).
Basin: Set in an irregular basin (Warder, Thomas); broad, open, slightly corrugated (Downing, Budd-Hansen).
Skin/Surface: Fine golden yellow (Warder); golden yellow (Thomas); yellow, sometimes with a brownish blush in the sun (Downing, Budd-Hansen); yellow, sometimes with a shade of brownish-red (Beach). Thinly sprinkled with dots — gray dots per Downing, and dots few and gray per Budd-Hansen. Often slightly netted with thin russet (Warder describes it as sometimes slightly netted with thin russet; Downing and Budd-Hansen also note slight netting with thin russet).
Flesh/Flavor: Yellowish (Warder, Downing, Budd-Hansen); yellow (Thomas). Tender, juicy, nearly melting, with a rich, refreshing, almost vinous, aromatic flavor (Warder). Tender, juicy, with a rich, refreshing, aromatic flavor (Thomas). Breaking juicy, rather coarse, rich, aromatic, subacid (Downing, Budd-Hansen). Beach characterizes the flesh as rather coarse, aromatic, subacid, and excellent in quality for either dessert or culinary uses. Quality rated "very good" (Downing, Budd-Hansen).
Core/Seeds: Core rather large (Warder, Downing, Budd-Hansen). Seeds not separately described.
Season
November to February (Warder, Downing, Budd-Hansen). Thomas describes the season as early winter.
Uses
Excellent in quality for either dessert or culinary uses (Beach). Considered superior for family use and profitable for market (Downing, Beach). In some sections regarded as a pretty good commercial variety, particularly in portions of Eastern New York (Beach).
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 5 period pomological works
- Beach, The Apples of New York Vol. 2 (1905)
- Warder, American Pomology: Apples (1867) — listed as American Golden Pippin
- Budd & Hansen, Systematic Pomology (1914)
- Downing, Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900) — listed as American Golden Pippin
- Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903) — listed as Golden Pippin, of Westchester County
View original book sources (5)
— John A. Warder, American Pomology: Apples (1867)American Golden Pippin.
GOLDEN PIPPIN, of Downing.—NEW YORK GREENING, &c.
Having mislaid my notes of this apple, I am obliged to quote Mr. Downing's description of this fine fruit, which is believed to be American; cultivated in parts of New York, and found to be profitable.
"Growth strong, similar to that of Rhode Island Greening, but less drooping, making a round, spreading head; does not bear young, but very productive when a little advanced, and a popular fruit where known."
"Form variable, oblate, globular or conic, angular or ribbed; Stem stout, short, inserted in a deep cavity; Calyx closed, set in an irregular basin; Skin fine golden yellow, thinly sprinkled with dots, sometimes slightly netted with thin russet; Flesh yellowish, tender, juicy, nearly melting, with a rich, refreshing, almost vinous, aromatic flavor; Core rather large; November to February."
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)American Golden Pippin.
Golden Pippin. New York Greening. Ribbed Pippin. Newtown Greening. Golding. Golden Apple.
This old Apple is one of our finest American fruits, and seems not to be generally known. It has been cultivated more than fifty years, and is considered one of the most profitable for orchard culture and marketing; it is also a superior Apple for family use. Growth strong, similar to R. I. Greening, but less drooping, making a round, spreading head; does not bear young, but very productive when a little advanced, and a popular fruit where known. Wood dark reddish, downy, with prominent flattened buds.
Fruit medium to large; form roundish oblate, inclining to conic, obscurely ribbed; color yellow, sometimes a brownish blush in sun, thinly sprinkled with gray dots, often slightly netted with thin russet. Stalk short, moderately stout. Cavity large, deep. Calyx closed. Segments pointed, slightly recurved. Basin broad, open, slightly corrugated. Flesh yellowish, breaking juicy, rather coarse, rich, aromatic, subacid. Core rather large. Very good. November to February.
— S.A. Beach, The Apples of New York, Vol. 2 (1905)GOLDING.
REFERENCES. 1. London Hort. Soc. Cat., 1831:No. 479. 2. Kenrick, 1835:64. 3. Downing, 1857:79. fig. 4. Mag. Hort., 30:162. 1864. 5. Warder, 1867:636. fig. 6. Thomas, 1875:226. 7. Am. Pom. Soc. Cat., 1877:6. 8. Barry, 1883:342. 9. Lyon, Mich. Sta. Bul., 105:108. 1894. 10. Am. Pom. Soc. Cat., 1897:13. 11. Budd-Hansen, 1903:92. fig. 12. Ragan, U. S. B. P. I. Bul., 56:125. 1905.
SYNONYMS. American Golden (12). AMERICAN GOLDEN PIPPIN (2, 4, 5, 7, 8). American Golden Pippin (3, 6, 10, 11, 12). Golden Apple (12). GOLDEN PIPPIN (3, of Westchester Co., 6). Golden Pippin (5, of Westchester Co., 8 and 12). GOLDING (1, 9, 10, 11, 12). Newtown Greening (3, 12). N. Y. Greening (3, 5, 6, 12). Ribbed Pippin (3, 12).
Fruit medium or above, yellow, sometimes with shade of brownish-red; flesh rather coarse, aromatic, subacid and excellent in quality for either dessert or culinary uses. It is much subject to scab and a comparatively large percentage of the crop is apt to be unmarketable unless thorough treatment is given to prevent injury from insects and fungus diseases. The tree is rather large, vigorous, hardy, long-lived and moderately productive yielding moderate to heavy crops biennially. In some sections it is regarded as a pretty good commercial variety particularly in portions of Eastern New York.
Historical. In 1857 Downing wrote (3) regarding this variety, that although it was one of the finest American fruits and an old variety, it was not generally known. It was said to have been cultivated in Westchester and adjoining counties for more than fifty years where it was considered profitable for market and superior for family use. So far as we can learn Golding is now seldom or never planted in New York.
— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)Golden Pippin, of Westchester County. (American Golden Pippin, New York Greening.) Form variable, oblate, globular or conic, ribbed; skin golden yellow; stalk short, deeply set; basin irregular; flesh yellow, tender, juicy, with a rich, refreshing, aromatic flavor. Early winter. Tree spreading—very productive.
— J.L. Budd & N.E. Hansen, American Horticultural Manual, Part II: Systematic Pomology (1914)Golding (American Golden Pippin). — An old American variety; tree of strong growth with round spreading top, not an early bearer, but very productive with age.
Golding.
Fruit medium to large, roundish oblate, inclining to conic, obscurely ribbed; surface yellow, sometimes a brownish blush in sun, often slightly netted with thin russet; dots few, gray; cavity large, deep; stem short, moderately stout; basin broad, open, slightly corrugated; calyx closed; segments pointed, slightly recurved. Core rather large; flesh yellowish, breaking juicy, rather coarse, rich, aromatic, subacid; very good. November to February.