Mangum

Origin / History

A Southern variety of uncertain origin, associated with Georgia (Elliott) and Alabama (Thomas, Budd & Hansen). Downing notes it is "extensively cultivated in the South, where it is counted as one of the most desirable and reliable apples." Budd & Hansen echo that it is "extensively cultivated and highly prized in the South." Warder calls it "a first rate southern fruit... highly prized in Georgia and the South."

Warder's separate "Patton" entry preserves related historical context: specimens received from Dr. Jas. S. Blair of Limestone County, North Alabama, were described under the name Patton (given "because of the other Carters"), with the note that this fruit was equated with Carter of Alabama, Mangum, and the Alabama Pearmain of Peters.

Tree

A good, fair grower (Downing); thrifty (Warder, Thomas, Budd & Hansen); very productive (Warder, Downing, Thomas, Budd & Hansen). Young shoots grayish brown (Downing).

Fruit

Size: Medium (Elliott, Warder, Downing, Thomas, Budd & Hansen, Lowther). Thomas's separate "Carter" (Mangum) entry gives "medium to large." Warder's Patton entry (identified with Mangum) gives "large."

Form: Roundish, conical (Elliott); oblate, slightly conic, angular (Warder); oblate, slightly conic (Downing, Budd & Hansen); oblate, slightly conic, ribbed (Thomas); roundish oblate (Lowther). Warder's Patton entry: "roundish, somewhat flattened." Thomas's Carter entry: "roundish-ovate."

Stem / Stalk: Short and small (Elliott, Warder, Downing); small, set in a broad russeted cavity (Thomas); slender, short (Budd & Hansen). Warder's Patton entry describes the stem as "long to medium, inclined, red." Thomas's Carter entry gives "rather short."

Cavity: Broad, often russeted (Elliott); broad, surrounded by russet (Warder, Downing); broad, russeted (Thomas, Budd & Hansen). Warder's Patton entry: "deep, acute." Thomas's Carter entry: "deep."

Calyx / Eye: Closed (Elliott); partially closed (Warder, Downing); half open (Budd & Hansen). Warder's Patton entry: "eye medium, open." Thomas's Carter entry: "calyx large, open."

Basin: Medium (Elliott); slightly corrugated (Warder, Downing, Budd & Hansen); lightly furrowed (Thomas). Warder's Patton entry: "deep, abrupt, folded." Thomas's Carter entry: "wide, deep, somewhat furrowed."

Skin / Surface: Yellowish, striped and shaded with red, with whitish brown dots (Elliott). Yellowish, striped and mostly shaded with red, thickly sprinkled with whitish and bronze dots (Warder, Downing). Shaded and striped with red on yellow with numerous dots (Thomas). Surface yellowish, striped and mostly shaded with red; dots numerous, whitish and bronze (Budd & Hansen). Warder's Patton entry: "Surface smooth, mixed, marbled and splashed carmine on yellow; Dots scattered, distinct, yellow." Thomas's Carter entry: "red on orange yellow." Lowther codes the skin color as "ar."

Flesh / Flavor: Yellow, tender, juicy, mild sub-acid, excellent (Elliott). Yellow, very tender, juicy, mild sub-acid, excellent (Warder). Yellow, very tender, juicy, mild subacid, "very good to best" (Downing, Budd & Hansen). Yellow, very tender, with a mild sub-acid excellent flavor (Thomas). Warder's Patton entry: "Flesh yellow, firm, breaking, juicy; Flavor acid, agreeable; Quality good." Thomas's Carter entry: "flesh tender, mild, pleasant." Lowther rates quality "very good."

Core / Seeds: Core small (Elliott). Warder's Patton entry: "Core small, regular, closed, half clasping; Seeds plump and imperfect."

Season

October and November (Elliott, Warder, Downing, Budd & Hansen). Elliott adds that it is "Valued South as keeping until March." Warder's Patton entry gives "November to January." Thomas's Carter entry gives "October to January." Lowther classes the season as "winter."

Uses

Both kitchen and market (Lowther). Elliott notes its value in the South as a long-keeping apple (until March).

Subtypes / Variants

Not described in source. (The various names attached historically to this fruit — including Carter of Alabama and Alabama Pearmain of Peters — are treated as synonyms rather than distinct subtypes; Downing carries "Alabama Pearmain?" with a question mark.)

Other

Lowther reports the variety from 1 station in the Northern Division, with the asterisk indicating that it is also reported in another division.

Elliott (in his separate "Carter" entry, cross-referenced as a possible synonym) describes that fruit as "Royal Pippin, Southern. Fruit, above medium, roundish, yellow and red; flesh, tender, mild, pleasant; almost 'very good.' October to January."

Warder concludes his entry with the note (attributed to C. Downing): "Carter of Alabama may prove the same."