Holland Pippin
AppleHolland Pippin
Origin/History
The origin of Holland Pippin is unknown (Beach; Hedrick). It is an old variety which has long been in cultivation in New York and adjoining states (Beach). It has been grown in America over a century, its culture extending from the Atlantic westward to Michigan and Indiana (Hedrick). At the time of Beach's writing (1905), it was still listed by nurserymen but was not being planted to any considerable extent. Coxe (1817) noted that it appeared to be the same as Prince's Large Pippin of New-York, was called Vanduyn's Pippin in some parts of Pennsylvania and New-Jersey, and in Morris county was called the Summer Pippin; he further noted that by many who attended the Philadelphia market it was erroneously called the Golden Pippin (which is a very small apple imported from England).
Holland Pippin has been the subject of considerable historical confusion with two other varieties:
- Confusion with Fall Pippin. Multiple authors emphasize that Holland Pippin and Fall Pippin, while frequently confounded, are wholly distinct (Thomas; Downing; Beach; Elliott; Hedrick). Downing (1900) states they are of the same origin, and one of the strongest points of difference lies in their time of ripening. Warder (1867) noted a "strange confusion existing in some of the books, by which this fruit has been associated with the Fall Pippin," and stated that the Holland, as grown in Western New York and through the West, is entirely different and belongs to a different class. Downing (as quoted in Beach, 1848) wrote: "The Holland Pippin, though considerably resembling this apple in the growth of the tree, and size and shape of the fruit, is a totally distinct apple from the Fall Pippin. In fact, while the Fall Pippin is one of the best autumn table apples (at least in this district), the Holland Pippin is of very inferior quality for dessert, and is, in fact, only a cooking apple. As a kitchen fruit, however, it is one of the most valuable summer fruits we know — for it bears regularly and well, comes into use at the beginning of August, and continues fit for pies, tarts, and sauce, until October, when the Fall Pippin begins to ripen. The Holland Pippin is fit for use while the skin is quite green, but the Fall Pippin, not until it turns quite yellow. Finally, the stalk of the Holland Pippin is short, and set in a wide cavity, while that of the Fall Pippin is large, and set in a cavity often narrow, and comparatively shallow." Elliott (1865) refers readers to the Fall Pippin description with the difference that Holland Pippin is more regular round, stem shorter, cavity not as deep, more broad and open, calyx smaller, and basin not as wide.
- Confusion with Holland Winter. Beach (1905) notes there are two varieties in cultivation in New York under the name Holland Pippin: one a winter apple in season from late autumn to April or May (Holland Winter), and the other — the true Holland Pippin — which begins to ripen earlier than Fall Pippin and is in season during September and October. Hedrick likewise notes that Holland Pippin is often confused with Holland Winter, distinguishing them by season: Holland Pippin is a fall apple, while Holland Winter is in season in winter.
Tree
Tree large or moderately large, vigorous (Beach); large, vigorous, spreading or round-topped (Hedrick). Coxe describes the tree as growing very vigorously, handsome and spreading, with uncommonly large shoots and leaves. Form spreading or roundish (Beach). Hardy or nearly so, healthy, pretty long-lived, and generally quite productive, yielding moderate to heavy crops biennially or sometimes annually (Beach). The trees of Holland Pippin and Fall Pippin are much the same in habit and both are exceptionally satisfactory (Hedrick).
Twigs medium to long, curved, stout; internodes medium (Beach). Bark dark brown, heavily coated with gray scarf-skin; pubescent (Beach). Lenticels scattering, small to medium, oval, not raised (Beach). Buds medium size, plump, obtuse, free, pubescent (Beach).
Fruit
Size
Very large — Coxe reports it generally weighs a pound. Large or very large, uniform in size and shape (Hedrick); usually large or very large, sometimes medium, pretty uniform in size and shape (Beach). Large (Downing; Thomas; Lowther). Very large (Thomas).
Form
Sources describe the form variously: rather long than flat (Coxe); roundish, a little more square in outline than the Fall Pippin, and not so much flattened, though a good deal like it, a little narrowed next the eye (Downing); roundish, somewhat oblong, and flattened at the ends, sometimes slightly oblate (Thomas); large, regular, conic, rather oblate (Warder); roundish, often decidedly flattened at the end, varying to oblate conic, obscurely ribbed (Beach); round or oblate-conic, obscurely ribbed (Hedrick); flat (Lowther). Elliott notes it is more regular round than Fall Pippin.
Stem/Stalk
Short (Coxe; Downing; Hedrick); half an inch long, thick, deeply sunk (Downing); variable in length, usually short (Thomas); medium to short, usually rather slender (Beach); short, usually slender (Hedrick); medium to long (Warder); shorter than Fall Pippin (Elliott).
Cavity
Very deeply indented at both ends (Coxe — of stalk and calyx ends). Deeply sunk (Downing). Wide, acute (Thomas). Medium, acute, regular, brown (Warder). Acute or sometimes acuminate, medium in width to broad, moderately shallow to deep, usually covered with thick outspreading russet (Beach). Acute, medium in width, shallow, usually covered with thick outspreading russet (Hedrick). Set in a wide cavity (Downing as quoted in Beach; Hedrick). Elliott notes cavity not as deep as Fall Pippin, more broad and open.
Calyx / Eye
Small, closed, moderately sunk (Downing). Eye medium, closed (Warder). Calyx pubescent, medium to small, closed or partly open; lobes rather long, acute (Beach). Calyx pubescent, small, closed or partly open; lobes long, acute (Hedrick). Elliott notes calyx smaller than Fall Pippin.
Basin
Slight plaited basin (Downing). Slightly plaited (Thomas). Narrow, medium depth, regular (Warder). Usually rather shallow but varying to moderately deep, medium in width to rather narrow, abrupt to somewhat obtuse, ridged and wrinkled (Beach). Shallow to deep, narrow, abrupt to obtuse, ridged and wrinkled (Hedrick). Elliott notes basin not as wide as Fall Pippin.
Skin
Smooth and fair — of a clear, pale greenish yellow (Coxe). Greenish yellow or pale green, becoming pale yellow when fully ripe, washed on one side with a little dull red or pale brown, with a few scattered, large, greenish dots (Downing). Greenish yellow, becoming pale yellow or whitish yellow, with a brownish red cheek (Thomas). Dull yellowish-green, rarely bronzed; dots minute (Warder). Thin, tough, nearly smooth, rather pale yellow or greenish with more or less of a brownish-red blush which is conspicuously marked with large, irregular, areolar dots; dots numerous, large and small, often submerged and greenish (Beach). Thin, tough, smooth, pale yellow with brownish-red blush which is conspicuously marked with large irregular, areolar dots; dots numerous, large and small, often submerged (Hedrick). Greenish yellow (Lowther). Beach notes that when kept free from scab its general appearance is good for a green apple. Hedrick describes Holland Pippin as the greener fruit compared to Fall Pippin, which is fit to use only when it is a golden yellow in color.
Flesh / Flavor / Quality
Coxe: flesh pale yellow, juicy, tender, sprightly, and finely flavoured. Warder: flesh yellowish-white or greenish-white, breaking, coarse-grained, juicy; flavor quite acid, not rich, not agreeable; quality only fair. Thomas: flesh nearly white, rather acid, with a moderate flavor. Downing: rated "Good." Hedrick: flesh white, coarse-grained, crisp, tender, very juicy, brisk subacid; good to very good. Lowther: quality good. Downing (as quoted in Beach) and Beach: of very inferior quality for dessert; only a cooking apple. Elliott: esteemed for cooking, for which it is fitted in August, but we think surpassed by Gravenstein.
Core / Seeds
Core medium, regular, closed, meeting the eye; seeds numerous, sometimes imperfect (Warder). Core large, abaxile; cells unsymmetrical, open; core-lines meeting or clasping; carpels broad, narrowing toward base and apex, emarginate, tufted; calyx-tube wide, broadly conical; stamens median; seeds narrow, acute (Hedrick).
Season
Ripens in October, and keeps well as a fall apple (Coxe). October to December at the North (Warder). Ripens early and mid-autumn, but is a good cooking apple some weeks previously (Thomas). Season during September and October (Beach). September to October (Hedrick). Early autumn (Lowther).
Downing notes the Holland Pippin begins to fall from the tree and is fit for pies about the middle of August, and from that time to the first of November is one of the very best kitchen apples. Downing (as quoted in Beach) states it comes into use at the beginning of August and continues fit for pies, tarts, and sauce until October. Beach notes the crop ripens unevenly: some of the apples ripen early and are correspondingly short-lived while others ripen later and keep correspondingly later. It varies greatly in keeping qualities in different seasons, some years keeping well till late fall or early winter. Hedrick notes that of the two, Holland Pippin is the earlier, going out of season soon after Fall Pippin begins to ripen.
Uses
Used both for eating and cooking; a very popular apple for market (Coxe). Esteemed for cooking (Elliott). Use: cooking only (Warder). An excellent culinary sort (Thomas). One of the very best kitchen apples; fit for pies, tarts, and sauce (Downing; Downing as quoted in Beach). One of the most valuable summer fruits as a kitchen fruit (Downing as quoted in Beach). Both kitchen and market (Lowther). A culinary fruit (Hedrick). Grown to a limited extent for market; more valued for this purpose in certain portions of the Hudson valley than in other sections of the state (Beach).
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source, aside from the historical distinction Beach draws between two varieties cultivated in New York under the same name — the true Holland Pippin (a fall apple) and the Holland Winter (a winter apple in season from late autumn to April or May).
Other
Warder notes that Holland Pippin was not seen in the southern counties of the States north of the Ohio River. Lowther reports the variety in more than one division across the Northern, Central, and Southern divisions (N. Div.: 3; C. Div.: 4; S. Div.: 2).
Book Sources
Described in 8 period pomological works
- Warder, American Pomology: Apples (1867)
- Beach, The Apples of New York Vol. 2 (1905)
- Coxe, A View of the Cultivation of Fruit Trees (1817) — listed as Fall, Or Holland Pippin
- Downing, Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)
- Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865)
- Lowther (ed.), Encyclopedia of Practical Horticulture (1914)
- Hedrick, Cyclopedia of Hardy Fruits (1922)
- Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)
Nursery Catalog Sources
Found in 6 catalogs (1864–1913) from Illinois, New Jersey, Oregon
- St. Helena Nursery , Howell's Prairie, Marion County , Oregon — 1864
- Rogers Nursery Co. , Moorestown , New Jersey — 1893
- Woodburn Nurseries , Woodburn, Marion Co. , Oregon — 1894
- Brown Brothers Co. , Continental Nurseries, Rochester, NY (also operated from Toronto, Canada) — 1899
- Benjamin Buckman (personal inventory) , Farmingdale , Illinois — 1901
- Benjamin Buckman (personal inventory) , Farmingdale , Illinois — 1913
View original book sources (8)
— William Coxe, A View of the Cultivation of Fruit Trees (1817)NO. 15. FALL, OR HOLLAND PIPPIN.
This is one of the finest, and most beautiful apples of the season—the size is very large, it generally weighs a pound; the form is rather long than flat, the skin smooth and fair—of a clear, pale greenish yellow; the flesh pale yellow, juicy, tender, sprightly, and finely flavoured: it is a very popular apple for market, and is used both for eating and cooking: the stalk is short, it is very deeply indented at both ends; it ripens in October, and keeps well as a fall apple—the tree grows very vigorously, handsome and spreading, with uncommonly large shoots and leaves.—it appears to be the same with Princes large Pippin of New-York; is called Vanduyns Pippin in some parts of Pennsylvania and New-Jersey; in Morris county, the summer Pippin; and by many who attend the Philadelphia market, is erroneously called the Golden Pippin, (which is a very small apple imported from England. see No. 64.)
[Additional entry in this volume: "Holland Pippin", pp. 125–125]
No. 15. Holland Pippin.
— F.R. Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865)Holland Pippin. Reinette d'Holland, Summer Pippin, Pie Apple, French Pippin, of some.
Tree, resembles Fall Pippin, with which it is often confounded, but from which it is distinct. It is esteemed for cooking, for which it is fitted in August, but we think surpassed by Gravenstein. We refer for description to Fall Pippin, with this difference, more regular round, stem shorter, cavity not as deep, more broad and open; calyx smaller, and basin not as wide.
— John A. Warder, American Pomology: Apples (1867)Holland Pippin.
There is a strange confusion existing in some of the books, by which this fruit has been associated with the Fall Pippin. The Holland, as grown in Western New York, and through the West, as derived from the former State, is entirely different; and as that is extensively known, its description is here given, that it may be compared with the other, which belongs to a different class.
Fruit large, regular, conic, rather oblate; Surface dull yellowish-green, rarely bronzed; Dots minute.
Basin narrow, medium depth, regular; Eye medium, closed.
Cavity medium, acute, regular, brown; Stem medium to long.
Core medium, regular, closed, meeting the eye; Seeds numerous, sometimes imperfect; Flesh yellowish-white or greenish-white, breaking, coarse-grained, juicy; Flavor quite acid, not rich, not agreeable; Quality only fair; Use cooking only; Season, October to December at the North.
Not seen in the southern counties of the States north of the Ohio River.
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Holland Pippin.
Reinette d'Hollande. Summer Pippin. Pie Apple.
This and the Fall Pippin are frequently confounded together. They are indeed of the same origin. One of the strongest points of difference lies in their time of ripening.
The Holland Pippin begins to fall from the tree and is fit for pies about the middle of August, and from that time to the first of November is one of the very best kitchen apples.
Fruit very large, roundish, a little more square in outline than the Fall Pippin, and not so much flattened, though a good deal like it, a little narrowed next the eye. Stalk half an inch long, thick, deeply sunk. Calyx small, closed, moderately sunk in a slight plaited basin. Skin greenish yellow or pale green, becoming pale yellow when fully ripe, washed on one side with a little dull red or pale brown, with a few scattered, large, greenish dots. Good.
— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)Holland Pippin. Very large, roundish, somewhat oblong, and flattened at the ends, sometimes slightly oblate; greenish yellow, becoming pale yellow or whitish yellow, with a brownish red cheek; stalk variable in length, usually short; cavity wide, acute; basin slightly plaited; flesh nearly white, rather acid, with a moderate flavor. Ripens early and mid-autumn, but is a good cooking apple some weeks previously. Wholly distinct from the Fall Pippin. An excellent culinary sort.
— S.A. Beach, The Apples of New York, Vol. 2 (1905)HOLLAND PIPPIN.
References. 1. Coxe, 1817:109. fig. 2. Downing, 1845:86. 3. Ib., Horticulturist, 3:345. 1848. 4. Thomas, 1849:156. fig. 5. Cole, 1849:110. 6. Downing, Chas., Horticulturist, 8:196. 1853. 7. Elliott, 1854:138. 8. Hovey, Mag. Hort., 22:555. 1856. fig. 9. Hooper, 1857:45. 10. Gregg, 1857:37. 11. Am. Pom. Soc. Cat., 1862. 12. Warder, 1867:506. 13. Wickson, 1889:244. 14. Lyon, Mich. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1890:292. 15. Bailey, An. Hort., 1892:241. 16. Beach and Clark, N. Y. Sta. Bul., 248:124. 1904.
Synonyms. Fall Pippin (1). French Pippin (7). Holland Pippin (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16). Pie Apple (2, 7, 8). Reinette d'Hollande (2). Reinette d'Holland (7). Summer Pippin (2, 7, 8).
There are two varieties in cultivation in New York under the name Holland Pippin. One is a winter apple in season from late autumn to April or May which has already been described under the name Holland Winter, Vol. I., page 159. The other begins to ripen earlier than Fall Pippin and is in season during September and October. This variety was formerly confused by some with the Fall Pippin. The following comparison of the two varieties was given by Downing in 1848 (3). "The Holland Pippin, though considerably resembling this apple in the growth of the tree, and size and shape of the fruit, is a totally distinct apple from the Fall Pippin. In fact, while the Fall Pippin is one of the best autumn table apples (at least in this district), the Holland Pippin is of very inferior quality for dessert, and is, in fact, only a cooking apple. As a kitchen fruit, however, it is one of the most valuable summer fruits we know — for it bears regularly and well, comes into use at the beginning of August, and continues fit for pies, tarts, and sauce, until October, when the Fall Pippin begins to ripen. The Holland Pippin is fit for use while the skin is quite green, but the Fall Pippin, not until it turns quite yellow. Finally, the stalk of the Holland Pippin is short, and set in a wide cavity, while that of the Fall Pippin is large, and set in a cavity often narrow, and comparatively shallow. With these points of difference, these two apples ought not to be confounded."
Holland Pippin is grown to a limited extent for market. It appears to be more valued for this purpose in certain portions of the Hudson valley than in other sections of the state. The fruit is large and when kept free from scab its general appearance is good for a green apple. The crop ripens unevenly. Some of the apples ripen early and are correspondingly short-lived while others ripen later and keep correspondingly later. It varies greatly in keeping qualities in different seasons, some years keeping well till late fall or early winter (16). The tree is a good grower, hardy or nearly so, healthy, pretty long-lived and generally quite productive yielding moderate to heavy crops biennially or sometimes annually.
Historical. Origin unknown. It is an old variety which has long been in cultivation in this and adjoining states. It is still listed by nurserymen but it is not being planted to any considerable extent.
Tree.
Tree large or moderately large, vigorous. Form spreading or roundish. Twigs medium to long, curved, stout; internodes medium. Bark dark brown, heavily coated with gray scarf-skin; pubescent. Lenticels scattering, small to medium, oval, not raised. Buds medium size, plump, obtuse, free, pubescent.
Fruit.
Fruit usually large or very large, sometimes medium, pretty uniform in size and shape. Form roundish often decidedly flattened at the end varying to oblate conic, obscurely ribbed. Stem medium to short, usually rather slender. Cavity acute or sometimes acuminate, medium in width to broad, moderately shallow to deep, usually covered with thick outspreading russet. Calyx pubescent, medium to small, closed or partly open; lobes rather long, acute. Basin usually rather shallow but varying to moderately deep, medium in width to rather narrow, abrupt to somewhat obtuse, ridged and wrinkled. Skin thin, tough, nearly smooth, rather pale yellow or greenish with more or less of a brownish-red blush which is conspicuously marked with large, irregular, areolar dots. Dots numerous, large and small, often submerged and greenish.
— Granville Lowther (ed.), Encyclopedia of Practical Horticulture (1914)Holland Pippin. Size: large. Form: flat. Color: greenish yellow. Quality: good. Use: both kitchen and market. Season: early autumn. N. Div.: 3 (reported in more than one division). C. Div.: 4 (reported in more than one division). S. Div.: 2 (reported in more than one division).
— U.P. Hedrick, Cyclopedia of Hardy Fruits (1922)HOLLAND PIPPIN. French Pippin. Summer Pippin. Holland Pippin is often confused with Holland Winter and Fall Pippin. The following differences distinguish it from these two: Holland Pippin is a fall apple, while Holland Winter is in season in winter. Holland Pippin is a culinary fruit, while Fall Pippin is a choice dessert apple. Of the two, Holland Pippin is the earlier, going out of season soon after Fall Pippin begins to ripen. Holland Pippin is the greener fruit of the two, Fall Pippin being fit to use only when it is a golden yellow in color. The stalk of Holland Pippin is short and set in a wide cavity, while that of Fall Pippin is long and set in a narrow cavity. The trees of both varieties are much the same in habit and both are exceptionally satisfactory. The origin of Holland Pippin is unknown, but it has been grown in America over a century, its culture extending from the Atlantic westward to Michigan and Indiana. Tree large, vigorous, spreading or round-topped. Fruit large or very large, uniform in size and shape, round or oblate-conic, obscurely ribbed ; stem short, usually slender ; cavity acute, medium in width, shallow, usually covered with thick outspreading russet ; calyx pubescent, small, closed or partly open ; lobes long, acute ; basin shallow to deep, narrow, abrupt to obtuse, ridged and wrinkled ; skin thin, tough, smooth, pale yellow with brownish-red blush which is conspicuously marked with large irregular, areolar dots ; dots numerous, large and small, often submerged ; calyx-tube wide, broadly conical ; stamens median ; core large, abaxile ; cells unsymmetrical, open ; core-lines meeting or clasping ; carpels broad, narrowing toward base and apex, emarginate, tufted ; seeds narrow, acute ; flesh white, coarse-grained, crisp, tender, very juicy, brisk subacid ; good to very good ; September to October.