Good Peasant

Origin / History

Good Peasant is of Russian origin. N.E. Hansen (1902) observed it as fruited by A.F. Collman of Corning, Iowa, from trees received from Iowa Agricultural College, and noted that the fruit appears identical to the Longfield except that it is larger and much later in season. The Central Experimental Farm at Agassiz, British Columbia recorded trees planted in spring 1895 under test (Bulletin No. 3, 1900).

Tree

The Central Experimental Farm describes the tree as a strong grower. Hansen reports Good Peasant as a heavy annual bearer.

Fruit

Size

Hansen and Thomas both describe the fruit as medium. The Central Experimental Farm describes it as small — a conflict that may reflect differing growing conditions in British Columbia versus Iowa.

Form

Hansen describes the fruit as roundish, somewhat truncated, tapering to both ends, mostly unequal and irregular, with a decided swell on one side. The Central Experimental Farm describes it as oblong and conical — a notable conflict in form.

Stem

Hansen describes the stem as short. Thomas describes it as medium.

Cavity

Hansen describes the cavity as regular, narrow, and acute, with a little stellate russet, sometimes considerable russet. Thomas notes the cavity as russety.

Calyx

Hansen: closed, segments connivent. Not described by other sources.

Basin

Hansen describes the basin as small, narrow, shallow, and smooth. Thomas describes the basin as deep and wrinkled — a direct conflict on both depth and surface character.

Skin

Hansen: surface greenish yellow, with a dull red blush on the sunny side; dots distinct, few, white, and minute. Thomas: greenish yellow, splashed and striped red on the sunny side. The Central Experimental Farm describes the skin as green, nearly covered with red — considerably more red than the other two sources indicate.

Flesh / Flavor

Thomas describes the flesh as fine-grained, sub-acid, and very good. The Central Experimental Farm describes it as white, juicy, and sprightly, with a pleasant flavour and good quality.

Core / Seeds

Not described in sources.

Season

Hansen states the fruit keeps till February. Thomas gives the season as mid-winter. The Central Experimental Farm gives the season as October and November — a substantial conflict, with the British Columbia trees ripening several months earlier than Iowa specimens.

Uses

Not described in sources.

Subtypes / Variants

Not described in sources.

Other

Hansen observes a close resemblance to the Longfield, distinguishing Good Peasant by its larger size and considerably later season.