Iowa Russet
Apple
Iowa Russet
Origin/History
Originated by Joseph L. Budd on his farm at Shellsburg (also spelled Spellsburg in some accounts), Iowa. Downing (1900) describes it as "a new apple" and a "valuable acquisition for the prairie country." Hansen (1902) identifies the originator as "Prof. J. L. Budd," confirming the Iowa farm origin.
Tree
According to Downing, the tree is very hardy and vigorous, making a compact round head. It is an early, annual, and abundant bearer, producing fruit even in size. Young shoots are light reddish yellow brown. Hansen provides no additional tree description.
Fruit
Size and Form: Medium. Oblate to roundish oblate, sometimes slightly oblique.
Stem: Short and small (Downing). Hansen does not describe the stem.
Cavity: Quite large (Downing). Hansen describes it as large, deep, and obtuse. The two sources agree on size; Hansen adds the depth and shape (obtuse) not given by Downing.
Calyx: Closed.
Basin: Quite deep (both sources agree). Downing describes it as round and nearly smooth; Hansen describes it as regular and slightly plaited. The two sources conflict on surface texture — Downing says nearly smooth, Hansen says slightly plaited.
Skin: Deep yellow ground color, with a shade of pale red (Downing) or pale red blush (Hansen) on the sunny side. Partially covered with patches and nettings of russet (Downing) or patches and net-veinings of russet (Hansen). Dots: Downing says moderately sprinkled with grayish dots; Hansen describes them as few, grayish brown, with whitish suffused bases, varying in size. The two sources present a mild conflict on dot density — Downing's "moderately sprinkled" versus Hansen's "few."
Flesh and Flavor: Yellowish to yellow (both sources). Hansen additionally notes light yellow veinings in the flesh. Half fine and tender (Downing only). Moderately juicy. Mild subacid. Rather rich (Downing); rich (Hansen). Quality: good to very good (Downing); very good (Hansen).
Core and Seeds: Core small (both sources). Seeds large (Hansen only).
Season
Downing gives January to March. Hansen describes the season as "all winter." The two accounts are consistent, placing this variety in the late-winter storage category.
Uses
Implied as a valuable commercial and homestead variety suited to prairie conditions, based on Downing's characterization. No specific culinary uses described in either source.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
Nursery Catalog Sources
Found in 2 catalogs (1901–1913) from Illinois
- Benjamin Buckman (personal inventory) , Farmingdale , Illinois — 1901
- Benjamin Buckman (personal inventory) , Farmingdale , Illinois — 1913
View original book sources (2)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Iowa Russet.
This new apple originated with Joseph L. Budd, Shellsburg, Iowa, who informs us that the tree is very hardy, vigorous, making a compact round head, an early, annual, and abundant bearer; fruit even in size, of good quality, and a valuable acquisition for the prairie country. Young shoots light reddish yellow brown.
Fruit medium, oblate to roundish oblate, sometimes slightly oblique; skin deep yellow, a shade of pale red when exposed to the sun, moderately sprinkled with grayish dots, and partially covered with patches and nettings of russet; stalk short, small; cavity quite large; calyx closed; basin round, quite deep, nearly smooth; flesh yellowish, half fine, tender, moderately juicy, mild subacid, rather rich; good to very good; core small. January, March.
— N.E. Hansen, A Study of Northwestern Apples (1902)Iowa Russet-Fruit medium, oblate to roundish oblate, sometimes slightly oblique; surface deep yellow, with pale red blush on sunny side, partially covered with patches and net-veinings of russet; dots few, grayish brown, with whitish suffused bases, varying in size; cavity large, deep, obtuse; basin regular, quite deep, slightly plaited; calyx closed. Core small; seeds large; flesh yellow, with light yellow veinings, moderately juicy, mild subacid, rich, very good. All winter. Originated by Prof. J. L. Budd, on his farm at Spellsburg, Iowa.