Peach (Montreal)
ApplePeach (Montreal)
Origin/History
The origin of this variety is disputed. Some writers state that it is of French origin (Beach citing Montreal Hort. Soc. Rpt. 1876; Budd-Hansen gives origin as France). Hoskins considers French origin doubtful, stating: "Some of its characters would indicate it to be a Russian apple which has reached Canada via France, but this is only a conjecture" (Beach citing Hoskins, Am. Gard. 1894).
According to Hoskins, it is a very popular fall apple all through Northern New England and Eastern Canada. It has long been the leading market apple of its season, September, in Montreal and the surrounding territory on both sides of the line. This variety is but little known in New York. It cannot be expected to displace Oldenburg, which is of the same season, more productive, and much better known (Beach).
Tree
The tree is hardy, thrifty, and very productive (Beach). Budd-Hansen describe it as vigorous, with light brown shoots. The Central Experimental Farm at Agassiz, BC (planted Spring 1896) reports the tree as a vigorous grower.
Fruit
Size: Sources disagree. Budd-Hansen describe the fruit as large. Lowther (Encyclopedia of Practical Horticulture) gives size as medium. The Central Experimental Farm gives medium size.
Form: Sources give related but varying descriptions. Beach describes the form as somewhat resembling Porter, being oval or conical. Budd-Hansen give roundish oblong. The Central Experimental Farm gives oblong. Lowther gives round.
Stem: Medium, slender, long (Budd-Hansen).
Cavity: Regular, medium, with russet circles (Budd-Hansen).
Calyx: Medium, nearly closed; segments long, narrow, slightly reflexed (Budd-Hansen).
Basin: Regular, medium, abrupt, furrowed (Budd-Hansen).
Skin: Predominantly yellow with some red (Beach). Budd-Hansen describe the skin as thin and tenacious, with surface smooth, glossy, white, lightly washed with dull red, indistinctly striped crimson, without bloom; dots yellow or brown. The Central Experimental Farm describes the skin as greenish yellow with a handsome blush. Lowther gives color as striped or splashed red. Beach notes that the variety forms a very good successor to the Yellow Transparent, which it resembles except for its blushed cheek (Beach citing Hoskins).
Flesh/Flavor: Yellowish white, fine-grained, tender, juicy, brisk, sprightly subacid, good (Budd-Hansen). Lowther rates quality as "VG!" (very good).
Core/Seeds: Core wide, conical, clasping, large; seeds large, short, brown, ten in number (Budd-Hansen).
Season
September in Montreal and surrounding territory; season does not extend far into October except by extra care (Beach). Early autumn (Budd-Hansen, citing U.S. Div. of Pomology, 1902). August (Central Experimental Farm, Agassiz BC). Winter (Lowther).
Uses
Salable in local markets but, being easily bruised, it does not stand transportation well (Beach). Used for both kitchen and market (Lowther). Long the leading market apple of its season in Montreal and surrounding territory on both sides of the line (Beach).
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Lowther reports the variety as adapted to more than one division in the Encyclopedia of Practical Horticulture's station trials: Northern Division 1 station, Central Division "e.,".
Book Sources
Described in 3 period pomological works
- Beach, The Apples of New York Vol. 2 (1905)
- Budd & Hansen, Systematic Pomology (1914) — listed as Peach of Montreal
- Lowther (ed.), Encyclopedia of Practical Horticulture (1914) — listed as Peach of Montreal
View original book sources (4)
— S.A. Beach, The Apples of New York, Vol. 2 (1905)PEACH (MONTREAL).
REFERENCES. 1. Montreal Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1876:7. 2. Raynes, Ib., 1879:26. 3. Budd, Ia. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1880:524. 4. Lyon, Mich. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1881:178. 5. Am. Pom. Soc. Cat., 1883:12. 6. Thomas, 1885:520. 7. Montreal Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1885:99. 8. Ib., 1886-87:92. 9. Burnet, Can. Hort., 12:339. 1889. 10. Hamilton, Montreal Hort. Soc. Rpt., 15:26. 1890. 11. Bailey, An. Hort., 1892:246. 12. Munson, Me. Sta. Rpt., 1893:133. 13. Hoskins, Am. Gard., 15:272. 1894. 14. Hansen, S. D. Sta. Bul., 76:82. 1902. 15. Budd-Hansen, 1903:147.
SYNONYMS. Canada Peach (14). Montreal Peach (3, 14). PEACH (3, 11, 14). PEACH APPLE of Montreal (13). PEACH OF MONTREAL (1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9). PEACH of Montreal (2, 10, 12, 15). Pomme Peche (1).
Fruit predominantly yellow with some red; in form it somewhat resembles Porter being oval or conical. It is salable in local markets but being easily bruised it does not stand transportation well (2, 3, 6, 13). The tree is hardy, thrifty and very productive. According to Hoskins it is a very popular fall apple all through Northern New England and Eastern Canada. It has long been the leading market apple of its season, September, in Montreal and the surrounding territory on both sides of the line. Its season does not extend far into October except by extra care but it forms a very good successor to the Yellow Transparent which it resembles except for its blushed cheek (13). This variety is but little known in New York. It cannot be expected to displace Oldenburg which is of the same season, more productive (10) and much better known.
Historical. Some writers state that this is a variety of French origin (1) but Hoskins considers this doubtful. He states: "Some of its characters would indicate it to be a Russian apple which has reached Canada via France, but this is only a conjecture" (13).
— Granville Lowther (ed.), Encyclopedia of Practical Horticulture (1914)Peach of Montreal: size medium; form round; color striped or splashed (red); quality "VG!"; use both kitchen and market; season winter; Northern Division 1 station (reported as adapted to more than one division); Central Division "e.,".
— Central Experimental Farm, Central Experimental Farm, Agassiz BC — Catalogue of Fruit Trees under Test (Bulletin No. 3, 1900) (1900)Planted Spring 1896. Tree a vigorous grower. Fruit of medium size, oblong. Skin greenish yellow, with a handsome blush. Season August.
— J.L. Budd & N.E. Hansen, American Horticultural Manual, Part II: Systematic Pomology (1914)Peach of Montreal. — Origin, France; tree vigorous, shoots light brown.
Fruit large, roundish oblong; skin thin and tenacious; surface smooth, glossy, white, lightly washed with dull red, indistinctly striped crimson, without bloom; dots yellow or brown; cavity regular, medium, russet circles; stem medium, slender, long; basin regular, medium, abrupt, furrowed; calyx medium, nearly closed; segments long, narrow, slightly reflexed. Core wide, conical, clasping, large; seeds large, short, brown, ten in number; flesh yellowish white, fine-grained, tender, juicy, brisk, sprightly subacid, good. Early autumn. (U. S. Div. of Pomology, 1902.)