Kerry Pippin
Apple
Kerry Pippin
Origin/History
An Irish variety, as its name indicates, though nothing is definitely known of its origin. It was introduced through the instrumentality of Mr. Robertson, the nurseryman of Kilkenny.
Tree
A fine grower, hardy, and a good bearer, attaining about the middle size. It is well adapted for grafting on the paradise stock, and being grown either as a dwarf or espalier.
Fruit
Size: Sources conflict: the Herefordshire Pomona describes the fruit as below the medium size, while Downing and Elliott both give it as middle size / medium.
Form: Oval, sometimes roundish oval. Downing adds that it is a little flattened at the eye.
Stem: Slender, three-quarters of an inch long, obliquely inserted in a small cavity, by the side of a fleshy protuberance.
Cavity: Small.
Calyx: Small and closed, with broad, erect, and acuminate segments.
Basin: Shallow, generally surrounded with five prominent plaits.
Skin: Smooth and shining. Greenish yellow at first, but changing as it ripens to a fine clear pale yellow colour, tinged and streaked with red on the side next the sun; sometimes, when fully exposed, one half of the surface is covered with bright shining crimson, streaked with deeper crimson. Marked on the shaded side with some traces of delicate russet.
Flesh and Flavor: Sources conflict slightly on color: the Herefordshire Pomona describes the flesh as yellowish white, while Downing gives it as yellow. All sources agree the flesh is firm and crisp; Downing additionally characterizes it as tender. The Pomona describes it as very juicy, with a rich, sugary, brisk, and aromatic flavour. Downing notes a sugary flavor.
Core/Seeds: Not described in source.
Season
September and October.
Uses
An early dessert apple of the highest excellence.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 3 period pomological works
Nursery Catalog Sources
Found in 6 catalogs (1897–1917) from England
- Kelway & Son , Langport, Somerset , England — 1897
- George Bunyard & Co. , Royal Nurseries, Maidstone, Kent , England — 1900
- James Veitch & Sons , Ltd., Royal Exotic Nursery, Chelsea, London (also Coombe Wood, Langley, and Feltham) , England — 1911
- Thomas Rivers & Son , Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire , England — 1913
- George Bunyard & Co. , Royal Nurseries, Maidstone, Kent , England — 1914
- George Bunyard & Co. , Royal Nurseries, Maidstone, Kent , England — 1917
View original book sources (3)
— Woolhope Naturalists Field Club, The Herefordshire Pomona (1885)
- KERRY PIPPIN.
[Syn.: Edmonton; Aromatic Pippin.]
This is an Irish variety, as its name indicates, and nothing is definitely known of its origin. It was introduced through the instrumentality of Mr. Robertson, the nurseryman of Kilkenny.
Description.—Fruit; below the medium size, oval, sometimes roundish oval. Skin; smooth and shining, greenish yellow at first, but changing as it ripens to a fine clear pale yellow colour, tinged and streaked with red on the side next the sun, but sometimes when fully exposed, one half of the surface is covered with bright shining crimson, streaked with deeper crimson; it is marked on the shaded side with some traces of delicate russet. Eye; small and closed, with broad, erect, and acuminate segments, set in a shallow basin, which is generally surrounded with five prominent plaits. Stock; slender, three quarters of an inch long, obliquely inserted in a small cavity, by the side of a fleshy protuberance. Flesh; yellowish white, firm, crisp, and very juicy, with a rich, sugary, brisk and aromatic flavour.
The tree is a fine grower, hardy, and a good bearer, attaining about the middle size. It is well adapted for grafting on the paradise stock, and being grown either as a dwarf or espalier.
The Kerry Pippin is an early dessert apple of the highest excellence. It is in season during September and October.
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Kerry Pippin.
Edmonton's Aromatic Pippin.
An Irish dessert Apple.
Fruit middle size, oval, a little flattened at the eye. Flesh yellow, tender, crisp, with a sugary flavor. September and October.
— F.R. Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865)KERRY PIPPIN. Edmonton's Aromatic. Foreign. Medium, roundish oval, yellow, streaked with red; flesh, firm, crisp. September, October.