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Ohio Nonpareil

Apple

Ohio Nonpareil

[NOTE: Source text may be incorrect — Downing's second entry headed "Ohio Nonpareil" describes the Ohio Pippin (Ernst's Pippin, Shannon), a different variety supposed to have originated at Dayton, Ohio. The appended entries for Ohio Pippin, Shannon Pippin, and the two Shannons (Warder, Downing, Thomas, Beach, Budd and Hansen, Lowther) also describe different varieties, and Thomas's appended Ohio Pippin text is a fragment. This material is excluded below. Only the entries describing the Massillon apple are merged here.]

Origin / History

Originated near Massillon, Ohio. Warder places its origin with Mr. Myers near Massillon. Downing calls the origin in doubt, the first known trees standing in the orchard of Bowman, Massillon. First described in 1848, in the Magazine of Horticulture (Beach). Warder records a description in the Western Horticultural Review for February 1853.

Warder calls it "this fine fruit." Compared with some of the best dessert apples of its season, among them Hawley, Fall Pippin, Fall Wine, and Rambo, it was declared to be "better than the best" (Warder). Downing calls it "one of the most valuable of autumn Apples, whether for market or table use." Thomas calls it "much valued at the West." Beach calls it "a fine fall apple" and "an old variety," little disseminated in New York but more popular in the Middle West, where nurserymen still offered it. Hedrick calls it "once very popular in the Middle West" and says it is "now to be found only in old orchards."

Tree

Tree vigorous, healthy, spreading. The young trees are very vigorous, with stout, straight shoots; young shoots smooth, rich dark reddish brown (Downing). Limbs straight, stout and compact, not liable to break with the weight of fruit (Warder). The orchard trees are very wide, regular, open, and spreading, requiring little or no thinning (Downing). Thomas gives growth strong and straight, forming a compact head. Beach alone finds the tree of medium size and only moderately vigorous, a moderate grower, rather spreading and not dense. He finds it apparently hardy and moderately long-lived.

Twigs medium length, curved, rather stout. Bark olive-green with some reddish brown, thinly streaked and mottled with gray scarf-skin. Lenticels scattering, conspicuous, large, usually round, becoming laterally compressed. Buds medium to small, obtuse, appressed, pubescent (Beach).

Bears the fruit evenly over the whole tree, all fair-sized and smooth (Downing). The original tree had borne annual crops of even-sized fruit for twenty years (Warder). Thomas calls it productive. Beach finds it does not come into bearing very young and is not always a reliable cropper, and Hedrick calls the tree "seldom satisfactory."

In Lowther's station table it was reported by 4 stations in the Northern Division, 3 in the Central, and 1 in the Southern, and is marked as adapted to more than one of the three divisions.

Fruit

Size: Medium to very large, most authors giving large, some from medium. Warder alone extends it to very large.

Form: Roundish oblate to oblate, in Thomas's words "roundish, slightly oblate." Regular (Warder), often obscurely ribbed (Beach).

Stem: Short to medium. Small or rather slender (Warder, Downing), but rather thick in Beach.

Cavity: Medium to large, deep, acute, regular, pretty symmetrical. Thomas alone calls the cavity medium. More or less russeted, the russet sometimes outspreading over the base (Beach).

Calyx: Medium to large, closed to partially open. Warder gives the eye large and closed, Downing rather large and partially open. Segments rather short (Downing). Lobes medium in length, narrow, acute; calyx tube moderately short, conical; stamens basal to nearly median (Beach).

Basin: Rather small to medium, medium in depth, narrow to wide, regular, somewhat abrupt, rather symmetrical. Warder calls it wide, Beach narrow to moderately wide.

Skin: Smooth. Ground yellow, pale yellow to deep yellow, covered or almost entirely overspread with bright red. Shaded, marbled, and splashed with two shades of rich red (Downing); mottled and irregularly striped and splashed with carmine (Beach). Lowther's table calls the skin yellow-red. Very handsome (Warder); of good color (Beach).

Dots: Scattered or thinly sprinkled to moderately numerous, small to medium, light and gray. Areolar with russet center, or grayish (Beach).

Flesh and flavor: Flesh yellowish white to yellowish or tinged with yellow, fine-grained to moderately fine, tender, juicy. Firm and crisp (Beach). Flavor subacid, rich, agreeable, aromatic to slightly aromatic; Thomas calls the subacid flavor "excellent." Quality "very good" (Downing, Lowther's table). Warder rates it "First quality," and Beach "good to very good."

Core and seeds: Core small, regular, somewhat open (Warder). In Beach's description the core is somewhat abaxile, the cells symmetrical, not uniformly developed, nearly closed to somewhat open; core lines meeting or slightly clasping; carpels roundish, rather flat, tufted. Seeds numerous (Warder), medium size, moderately long, plump, acute, tufted.

Season

Autumn. The recorded season runs from September into winter. Downing and Beach give October and November. Warder gives September to December, and Lowther's station table enters it as winter.

Uses

Dessert and culinary, for table, market, cooking, or drying (Warder), and in Lowther's table for kitchen and market. Beach regards it as a good variety for home use and notes that some recommend it for commercial planting.

Subtypes / Variants

Not described in source.

Other

Not described in source.

Book Sources

Described in 8 period pomological works

Nursery Catalog Sources

Found in 19 catalogs (1891–1913) from Alabama, Illinois, Missouri, Washington

View original book sources (8)

Ohio Nonpareil. MYER'S NONPAREIL.—WESTERN BEAUTY.

This fine fruit originated with Mr. Myers, near Massillon, Ohio.

It was described in the Western Horticultural Review for February, 1853.

Tree vigorous, healthy, spreading, limbs straight, stout and compact, not liable to break with the weight of fruit. The original tree had borne annual crops of even sized fruit for twenty years.

Fruit large to very large, regular, oblate, very handsome; Surface smooth, yellow, covered with bright red; Dots scattered, gray.

Basin medium, wide, regular; Eye large, closed. Cavity deep, acute, regular; Stem short, small. Core regular, somewhat open; Seeds numerous, medium; Flesh yellowish, tender, fine-grained, juicy; sub-acid, rich; First quality, for table, market, cooking or drying; Season September to December. Compared with some of the best dessert apples of the season, such as Hawley, Fall Pippin, Fall Wine, Rambo, and others, this variety was declared to be "better than the best."

[Additional entry in this volume: "Ohio Pippin", pp. 485–486]

Ohio Pippin.

ERNST'S APPLE.—BUCHANAN, ETC.—SHANNON!

We owe our acquaintance with this fine large fruit to the late Mr. A. H. Ernst, long President of the Ohio Pomological Society, who furnished trees to Mr. Robert Buchanan, an enthusiastic Pomologist of Cincinnati. Both these gentlemen were too modest to permit their names to be attached to a fruit which they did not originate, but which they have aided to distribute. Another focus of distribution was the orchard and nursery of R. W. Todd, at Madison, Indiana, and the fruit has been received under the name of Shannon, from Doctor J. A. Dibrell, of Van Buren, Arkansas. Origin Dayton, Ohio, from whence it was procured personally by Mr. Todd, many years ago, and the grafts set by him are the oldest trees known.

Tree healthy, vigorous, large, spreading; Shoots stout, dark; Leaves large.

Fruit large, often very large, oblate, somewhat conic, irregular; Surface smooth, greenish-yellow, sometimes blushed faintly near the base; Dots small gray.

Basin wide, deep, folded; Eye large or very large, open; Segments short.

Cavity wide, wavy or regular, brown; Stem short, stout.

Core medium to large, regular, closed, meeting the eye; Seeds numerous, medium, plump, sometimes imperfect; Flesh yellowish, breaking, tender, juicy; Flavor acid to sub-acid; Quality good; Market and kitchen, too large for dessert; Season, December, January.

— John A. Warder, American Pomology: Apples (1867)

Ohio Nonpareil.

Myer's Nonpareil. Cattell Apple. Western Beauty, erroneously. Rusty Core.

This is one of the most valuable of autumn Apples, whether for market or table use. Its origin is in doubt, the first known trees of it being in the orchard of Bowman, Massillon, Ohio. The young trees are very vigorous, with stout, straight shoots, while the orchard trees are very wide, regular, open, spreading, requiring little or no thinning, and bearing the fruit evenly over the whole tree, and all fair sized, smooth fruit. Young shoots smooth, rich, dark reddish brown.

Fruit medium to large. Form roundish oblate. Color yellow, shaded, marbled, and splashed with two shades of rich red, thinly sprinkled with light and gray dots. Stalk medium, rather slender. Cavity large, deep, regular. Calyx rather large, partially open. Segments rather short. Basin medium. Flesh yellowish white, fine-grained, tender, juicy, rich, slightly aromatic subacid. Core small. Very good. October, November.

Ohio Nonpareil.

Ohio Pippin. Ernst's Pippin. Shannon.

Origin in doubt. Supposed Dayton, Ohio. It was first disseminated by the late A. H. Ernst, of Cincinnati. Tree healthy, vigorous, spreading, moderately productive. Young shoots strong, dull reddish brown, quite downy.

Fruit large, roundish oblate, yellow, with mottled red in the sun. Flesh yellowish, moderately juicy, pleasant, sharp subacid. Good. Core small. November, January.

[Additional entry in this volume: "Shannon Pippin", pp. 1239–1240]

Shannon Pippin.

The origin of this apple is disputed, some asserting that it is the Ohio Pippin, taken from Indiana to Arkansas by a Mr. Rector in 1833; others that it is a distinct variety. Mr. Richard Thurston, of Van Buren, Ark., writes that he has lived in that State over thirty years, is well acquainted with the apple, and that it is distinct from the Ohio Pippin; that Granville Shannon, some thirty-five years ago, bought of a tree-peddler near Evansville, Ark., a number of apple trees of various kinds, and when they fruited, the labels being lost, they were named Shannon Pippin, and there were several of this kind. The tree is said to be a strong, vigorous grower, of a spreading habit; not an early bearer, but when established produces good crops on alternate years, ripening in succession from September to December, and is a popular and valuable apple in that locality.

Fruit large to very large, oblate, slightly conical; skin pale yellow, deep yellow in the sun, and a few gray dots; stalk very short, moderately stout; cavity broad, deep, sometimes slight russet; calyx closed or nearly so; basin broad, moderately deep, slightly corrugated; flesh whitish yellow, rather coarse, juicy, tender, mild subacid; good to very good; core small.

— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)

Myer's. (Ohio Nonpareil.) Large, roundish, slightly oblate; marbled and splashed red on yellow; cavity and basin medium; flesh yellowish white, with an excellent sub-acid flavor. Autumn. Growth strong and straight, forming a compact head. Productive, and much valued at the West.

[Additional entry in this volume: "Ohio Pippin", pp. 742–742]

keeper, and a good substitute at the North for Roxbury Russet.

— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)

(I) SHANNON.

REFERENCES. 1. Downing, 1881:104 app. 2. Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt., 1885:25. 3. Van Deman, U. S. Pom. Rpt., 1886:269. fig. 4. Babcock, Rural N. Y., 49:873. 1890. figs. 5. McNeil, Ark. Sta. Rpt., 1890:33. 6. Bailey, An. Hort., 1892:249. 7. Clayton, Ala. Sta. Bul., 47:7. 1893. 8. Stinson, Ark. Sta. Bul., 43:104. 1896. 9. Ib., 60:133. 1899. 10. Dickens and Greene, Kan. Sta. Bul., 106:55. 1902.

SYNONYM. SHANNON PIPPIN (1, 7).

Fruit large, yellow, smooth, pretty uniform, rather attractive in appearance and very good in quality; suitable for either home use or market. So far as tested here it is not sufficiently productive to be valuable in this region.

Historical. The history of the Shannon is rather obscure. For some time it was supposed by leading pomologists that Shannon was an Arkansas name given to the Ohio Pippin.¹·² Later investigators however have been led to question the correctness of this view (1, 3, 9) and the bulk of the evidence now seems to indicate that the Shannon is an Arkansas seedling closely resembling the Ohio Pippin yet with sufficient difference to distinguish the varieties. As fruited at this Station the tree of Ohio Pippin is slightly less vigorous than that of Shannon. The fruit averages smaller, is usually somewhat conic, the seeds are more numerous, the flavor is milder and the season is decidedly earlier than that of Shannon. Shannon is said to have originated near Boonsboro, Washington county, Ark. (9). It has been but little disseminated in New York.

TREE.

Tree vigorous with long and rather stout branches. Form rather open, spreading. Twigs medium to long, moderately stout, crooked to nearly straight, quite pubescent; internodes moderately short to very short. Bark reddish-brown, mottled with thin scarf-skin. Lenticels numerous, inconspicuous, very small, roundish or sometimes elongated. Buds medium to large, roundish, plump, somewhat acute to rather obtuse, appressed, pubescent.

¹Warder, 1867:484, 731. ²Downing, 1869:292.

FRUIT.

Fruit large. Form oblate to roundish oblate, often somewhat elliptical and obscurely ribbed; sides sometimes unequal. Stem short, moderately thick. Cavity moderately large, acute to acuminate, deep, moderately broad to very broad, symmetrical or somewhat furrowed, often with radiating russet rays or overspread with russet. Calyx large, open or partly open; lobes separated at base. Basin above medium to rather small, moderately shallow to deep, moderately narrow to rather wide, abrupt, usually indistinctly furrowed but sometimes smooth.

Skin rather thin, tough, smooth, bright, clear pale yellow, usually somewhat blushed. Dots inconspicuous, pale green or whitish, often submerged, sometimes with russet point.

Calyx tube yellow, rather long, very wide, cone-shape or somewhat funnel-form and sometimes extending to the core. Stamens median.

Core medium to rather small, slightly abaxile; cells often not uniformly developed, symmetrical, partly open or closed; core lines slightly clasping or meeting. Carpels thin, tender, roundish, mucronate, but slightly emarginate if at all, usually smooth. Seeds few, short to medium, plump, narrow to rather wide, acute.

Flesh whitish tinged with yellow, moderately firm, moderately fine-grained, breaking, tender, juicy to very juicy, sprightly subacid, good to very good.

Season at Geneva November to April or May.

(II) SHANNON.

REFERENCE. 1. J. R. Johnson, Cat., 1894.

The variety described below, so far as we know, has not been disseminated in New York. The following account is given in order that the reader may distinguish between this Shannon and the Shannon above described.

This originated as a chance seedling on the farm of Wm. Shannon, Coshocton county, Ohio. It was introduced by J. R. Johnson, of Coshocton, who stated that it is "yellow, of good size and good quality, keeps till April and holds its flavor; tree a good grower and a good bearer" (1). Mr. Johnson reports that he ventured to catalogue it under the name Shannon for local trade although he knew that a very different apple had been previously introduced under that name by A. H. Ernst.¹

¹Letter, J. R. Johnson, 1888.

— S.A. Beach, The Apples of New York, Vol. 1 (1905)

OHIO NONPAREIL.

REFERENCES.

  1. Mag. Hort., 14:114. 1848. 2. Emmons, Nat. Hist. N. Y., 3:77. 1851. fig. 3. Elliott, 1854:148. fig. 4. Mag. Hort., 22:85, 506. 1856. 5. Hooper, 1857:15. 6. Downing, C., Mag. Hort., 27:59. 1861. 7. Am. Pom. Soc. Cat., 1862. 8. Elliott, Mag. Hort., 32:51. 1866. 9. Warder, 1867:447. fig. 10. Downing, 1869:29. fig. 11. Am. Pom. Soc. Cat., 1869. 12. Fitz, 1872:171. 13. Thomas, 1875:203. 14. Barry, 1883:340. 15. Lyon, Mich. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1890:294. 16. Bailey, An. Hort., 1892:245. 17. Budd-Hansen, 1903:141. fig.

SYNONYMS. BELLFLOWER OF THE WEST (5). Cattell Apple (10, of Pennsylvania 6). MYERS NONPAREIL (3, 7, 8, 13). Myers Nonpareil (6, 9, 10, 12, 14). Nonpareil (6). OHIO NONPAREIL (1, 4, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17). Ohio Nonpareil (5, 13). OHIO NONPAREIL (2, 16). Red Bellflower of some (5). Rusty Core (6, 10). Wells (5). Western Beauty (9, erroneously 10).

A fine fall apple of good color and good quality for either dessert or culinary purposes. The tree is a moderate grower and appears to be hardy and moderately long-lived. It does not come into bearing very young and is not always a reliable cropper. It is regarded as a good variety for home use and some recommend it for commercial planting. Season October and November.

Historical. Originated near Massillon, Ohio. Although this is an old variety having first been described in 1848 (1) we do not find that it has been much disseminated in New York. It is more popular in the Middle West and is still offered by nurserymen in that region (16).

TREE.

Tree medium size, moderately vigorous. Form rather spreading, not dense. Twigs medium length, curved, rather stout. Bark olive-green with some reddish-brown, thinly streaked and mottled with gray scarf-skin. Lenticels scattering, conspicuous, large, usually round, becoming laterally compressed. Buds medium to small, obtuse, appressed, pubescent.

FRUIT.

Fruit medium to large. Form roundish oblate, often obscurely ribbed. Stem medium to rather short, rather thick. Cavity rather large, acute, deep, pretty symmetrical, more or less russeted, the russet sometimes outspreading over the base. Calyx medium or above, closed or slightly open; lobes medium in length, narrow, acute. Basin rather small, medium in depth, narrow to moderately wide, somewhat abrupt, rather symmetrical. Skin pale yellow to deep yellow almost entirely overspread with bright red, mottled and irregularly striped and splashed with carmine. Dots moderately numerous, small to medium, areolar with russet center or grayish. Calyx tube moderately short, conical. Stamens basal to nearly median. Core small, somewhat abaxile; cells symmetrical, not uniformly developed, nearly closed to somewhat open; core lines meeting or slightly clasping. Carpels roundish, rather flat, tufted. Seeds medium size, moderately long, plump, acute, tufted. Flesh tinged with yellow, firm, moderately fine, crisp, tender, juicy, agreeable subacid, aromatic, good to very good.

Season October and November.

[Additional entry in this volume: "Ohio Pippin", pp. 256–257]

OHIO PIPPIN.

REFERENCES. 1. Warder, 1867:484. fig. 2. Downing, 1869:292. 3. Am. Pom. Soc. Cat., 1881:12. 4. Thomas, 1885:223. 5. Taylor, Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt., 1895:193. 6. Budd-Hansen, 1903:141. 7. Beach and Clark, N. Y. Sta. Bul. 248:135. 1904.

SYNONYMS. Buchanan (1). Ernst's Apple (1). ERNST'S PIPPIN (4). Ernst's Pippin (2). OHIO PIPPIN (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7). Ohio Pippin (4). Shannon (1, 2, 3, 6).

Fruit of good medium size, quite attractive for a yellow apple, mild in flavor and of good quality. Season late September or October to January; October appears to be its commercial limit in this latitude (7). The tree attains good size, is rather vigorous and healthy, comes into bearing rather young and is a reliable cropper, being almost an annual bearer and often yielding full crops.

Historical. This variety is supposed to have originated in Dayton, Ohio (1, 2). It has been disseminated pretty widely in the Middle West but it is scarcely known among New York fruit growers.

TREE.

Tree rather vigorous. Form open, somewhat roundish or spreading and inclined to droop. Twigs short, straight, stout; internodes short. Bark dark dull brown, lightly streaked with scarf-skin, slightly pubescent near tips. Lenticels scattering, medium to below, oblong, not raised. Buds very deeply set in the bark, medium size, flat, obtuse, appressed, slightly pubescent.

FRUIT.

Fruit above medium to medium. Form oblate conic to roundish oblate, rather irregular in shape being often somewhat elliptical or obscurely ribbed. Stem short, slender, usually not exserted. Cavity rather large, acute or slightly acuminate, varying sometimes to rather obtuse, deep, broad, often furrowed, sometimes lipped, sometimes russeted and with outspreading russet rays. Calyx medium to large, open; lobes reflexed, rather broad, obtuse, separated at the base. Basin small and shallow to rather broad, deep and abrupt, sometimes compressed, wrinkled.

Skin smooth, somewhat glossy, attractive bright yellow often with a faint orange or pinkish blush. Dots whitish, submerged, sometimes russet or areolar with russet point. Calyx tube short, rather wide above, cone-shape or approaching truncate funnel-form. Stamens basal or nearly so. Core small, usually axile; cells symmetrical, closed or partly open; core lines clasping. Carpels broadly roundish, approaching elliptical, but slightly emarginate if at all, mucronate, slightly tufted. Seeds numerous, light colored, rather small, very plump, obtuse. Flesh whitish or tinged with yellow, firm, fine, tender, crisp, moderately juicy, mild subacid becoming mildly sweet, good.

— S.A. Beach, The Apples of New York, Vol. 2 (1905)

Ohio Nonpareil.—Originated with Mr. Myers near Massillon, Ohio. Tree vigorous, wide spreading.

Fruit large; form roundish oblate, regular; surface smooth, yellow, shaded, marbled and splashed with two shades of rich bright red; dots few, light, gray; cavity large, deep, acute, regular; stem short, rather slender; basin wide, regular, medium; calyx rather large, partially open; segments rather short. Core small, somewhat open; seeds many; flesh yellowish white, fine-grained, tender, juicy, rich, slightly aromatic, subacid, very good. October, November.

[Additional entry in this volume: "Ohio Pippin (Shannon)", pp. 148–148]

Ohio Pippin (Shannon). — Supposed origin, Dayton, Ohio; tree vigorous, large spreading, moderately productive. Fruit large, often very large, roundish oblate, somewhat conical, irregular; surface smooth, yellow, sometimes with mottled red blush; dots small, gray; cavity wide, wavy or regular, russeted; stem short, stout; basin wide, deep, wrinkled; calyx large, or very large, open; segments short. Core closed, meeting, small; seeds many, medium plump, some imperfect; flesh yellowish, tender, juicy, pleasant, sharp subacid, good. November, January.

— J.L. Budd & N.E. Hansen, American Horticultural Manual, Part II: Systematic Pomology (1914)

Ohio Nonpareil is a large apple of roundish (oblate) form with yellow-red skin. Quality is very good. It is suited for both kitchen and market use. Season of ripening is winter. It was reported by 4 stations in the Northern Division, 3 stations in the Central Division, and 1 station in the Southern Division; the asterisk on each division count indicates the variety is reported as adapted to more than one of the three divisions.

[Additional entry in this volume: "Ohio Pippin", pp. 452–452]

Ohio Pippin (15) is large in size, roundish oblate in form, with yellow-red skin. Quality is very good. Use is both kitchen and market. Season is winter. Reported by 4 stations in the Northern Division (also reported in more than one division) and 14 stations in the Central Division (also reported in more than one division). No stations are reported in the Southern Division.

— Granville Lowther (ed.), Encyclopedia of Practical Horticulture (1914)

OHIO NONPAREIL. Nonpareil. Red Bellflower. This sort, once very popular in the Middle West, is now to be found only in old orchards. The tree is seldom satisfactory. It originated near Massillon, Ohio, and was first described in 1848.

Tree medium in size, spreading.

Fruit medium to large, round-oblate, often obscurely ribbed; stem short and thick; cavity large, acute, deep, symmetrical, russeted, the russet sometimes spreading over the base; calyx closed or slightly open; lobes narrow, acute; basin small, medium in depth, wide, abrupt, symmetrical; skin yellow overspread with bright red, mottled and irregularly striped and splashed with carmine; dots numerous, small, areolar with russet center; calyx-tube short, conical; stamens basal; core small, abaxile; cells symmetrical, closed or open; core-lines meeting; carpels round, flat, tufted; seeds medium in size, long, plump, acute, tufted; flesh yellow, firm, fine, crisp, tender, juicy, agreeably subacid, aromatic; good to very good; October and November.

— U.P. Hedrick, Cyclopedia of Hardy Fruits (1922)
Bellflower of the West Buchanan Cattell Apple Ernst's Apple Ernst's Pippin Myer's Myer's Nonpareil Myers Nonpareil Nonpareil Ohio Pippin Ohio Pippin (Shannon) Red Bellflower Rusty Core Shannon Shannon Pippin Wells Western Beauty Ortley Park Spice Pound Royal Red Belle-Fleur Red Winter Pearmain Ribston Pippin Richard's Graft Scarlet Pearmain Sheepnose Streaked Pippin Summer Pound Royal Summer Rambo Wabash Western Beauty Westfield Seek-No-Further White Seek-no-further Winter Pearmain