Nonpareil

Origin / History

The history and origin of Nonpareil have not been ascertained, and it may prove to be an old variety with a changed name (Warder 1867). It was considerably grown in Northern Illinois, with specimens described by Warder coming from Dr. Geo. Haskell of Rockford. At the Central Experimental Farm, Agassiz BC, trees were planted Spring 1894 and reported on in Bulletin No. 3 (1900).

Tree

Vigorous grower and productive (Central Experimental Farm 1900). Other tree characteristics not described in source.

Fruit

Size: Sources disagree. Warder (1867) describes the fruit as medium to large. The Central Experimental Farm (1900) describes it as below medium in size. Veitch (1911) gives two notes: medium size and small. Thomas Rivers (1914) gives two notes: large ("it is an essential quality in Pearmains") and medium size.

Form: Round, somewhat conic, angular, ribbed (Warder 1867); roundish, flat (Central Experimental Farm 1900).

Stem: Long to medium, thick, green (Warder 1867).

Cavity: Deep, acute, wavy, sometimes lipped (Warder 1867).

Calyx / Eye: Eye small, closed (Warder 1867).

Basin: Shallow, folded and plaited (Warder 1867).

Skin: Sources describe different surface appearances. Warder (1867) reports the surface smooth, waxy-yellow, splashed crimson, with minute dots. Central Experimental Farm (1900) reports the skin greenish yellow, with a thin russet over nearly the whole surface. Veitch (1911) describes it as golden-yellow, flushed with orange-red.

Flesh / Flavor: White, tender, fine-grained, juicy; flavor acid, aromatic; quality quite good (Warder 1867). Yellowish, crisp, juicy, sprightly, quality very good (Central Experimental Farm 1900). Crisp, juicy and highly flavoured, an old favourite; flesh sweet and firm (Veitch 1911). Loose, juicy and excellent; a prime (Thomas Rivers 1914).

Core / Seeds: Core wide, regular, open, meeting the eye; seeds numerous, angular, brown (Warder 1867).

Season

Sources give differing seasons, likely reflecting differences in growing region and storage. Warder (1867) reports September and October. Central Experimental Farm (1900) reports December and January. Veitch (1911) notes the fruit keeps well, with a season of January to May. Thomas Rivers (1914) gives two seasonal notes: October to March, and December to March.

Uses

Table fruit (Warder 1867). Veitch (1911) notes it is "liked by everyone."

Subtypes / Variants

Not described in source.

Other

Thomas Rivers (1914) lists Nonpareil among the Pearmains, noting large size as "an essential quality in Pearmains."