Peter—Originated from seed of Wealthy by the late Peter M. Gideon, Excelsior, Minnesota. In fruit this appears nearly if not quite identical with Wealthy. Mr. Gideon himself could not distinguish the two varieties by the fruit, but claimed Peter was hardier in tree. The seeds of the Peter are large, broad and plump, about ten in number; calyx segments connivent; tube conical and stamens median. In Wealthy the tube is funnel-shaped; stamens median or basal. Wyman Elliott of Minneapolis, one of the most prominent members of the Minnesota Horticultural Society, after a careful examination of many specimens finds the Wealthy seeds smaller and more pointed; the Peter seeds larger, broader, less pointed and a little darker when fully ripe. Even if really distinct, the two varieties are now mixed to a considerable extent.

— N.E. Hansen, A Study of Northwestern Apples (1902)

PETER.

REFERENCES.

1. Iowa Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1886:180. 2. N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt., 7:50, 90. 1888. 3. Bailey, An. Hort., 1892:246. 4. Beach, N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt., 12:601. 1893. 5. Heiges, U. S. Pom. Rpt., 1895:31. 6. Munson, Me. Sta. Rpt., 1896:75. 7. Beach, W. N. Y. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 41:52. 1896. 8. Am. Pom. Soc. Cat., 1899:19. 9. Hansen, S. D. Sta. Bul., 76:84. 1902. 10. Munson, Me. Sta. An. Rpt., 18:84, 95. 1902. 11. Farrand, Mich. Sta. Bul., 205:46. 1903. 12. Budd-Hansen, 1903:149. 13. Powell and Fulton, U. S. B. P. I. Bul., 48:52. 1903. 14. Beach and Clark, N. Y. Sta. Bul., 248:137. 1904.

SYNONYMS. None.

This fruit resembles its parent Wealthy so closely that it is very difficult to distinguish between the two. It is similar to Wealthy in season as well as in the appearance and quality of the fruit. In ordinary storage its commercial season is September and October (14). In cold storage it extends to about January 1 (13). Sometimes a portion of the fruit may keep into or through the winter (14). Hansen states that even if really distinct the two varieties are now mixed to a considerable extent. As fruited at this Station the flesh of Peter is not so white as that of Wealthy but somewhat milder and better in quality (4). It has been found that the seeds of Peter are larger, broader, less pointed and a little darker than those of Wealthy. The tree is a moderate grower, comes into bearing young and yields full crops biennially. The fruit does not ripen uniformly and on this account there is apt to be some loss from drops unless more than one picking is made.

Historical. Originated from seed of Wealthy by Peter M. Gideon, Excelsior, Minn. (1), from whom this variety was received in 1888 for testing at this Station.

TREE.

Tree a fairly strong grower in the nursery; in the orchard it makes a moderately vigorous growth and eventually becomes rather large with moderately stout, somewhat drooping branches. Form upright spreading to roundish, open. Twigs short, straight, slender, with large terminal buds; internodes medium. Bark brown tinged with red, lightly streaked with scarf-skin; pubescent near tips. Lenticels quite numerous, medium size, oval, not raised. Buds medium size, plump, obtuse, free, slightly pubescent.

FRUIT.

Fruit medium or above, uniform in size and shape. Form oblate or roundish oblate, a little inclined to conic, regular. Stem long to medium, sometimes short, slender. Cavity acuminate, deep, medium to rather broad, compressed, lightly russeted or nearly smooth. Calyx small, closed; lobes medium in length, rather broad, acute. Basin deep to moderately deep, narrow to medium in width, abrupt, gently furrowed, sometimes compressed. Skin thin, moderately tough, nearly smooth, clear pale yellow washed and mottled with bright red conspicuously striped and splashed with deep carmine. Highly colored specimens are nearly covered with deep red. Dots medium size, scattering, brown, mingled with some that are whitish and submerged. Prevailing effect red or striped red. Calyx tube small, funnel-shape. Stamens median to marginal. Core medium to below, usually axile; cells symmetrical, closed or partly open; core lines clasping. Carpels roundish, emarginate. Seeds above medium to large, moderately wide, long, flat, moderately acute. Flesh slightly tinged with yellow, sometimes stained with red, firm, medium-grained, tender, juicy, with a pleasant, mild subacid, somewhat aromatic flavor, good to very good. Season September and October or later (14).

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

Peter.— Originated from seed of Wealthy by the late Peter M. Gideon, Excelsior, Minn. In fruit this appears nearly, if not quite, identical with Wealthy. Mr. Gideon himself could not distinguish the two varieties by the fruit, but claimed Peter was hardier in tree; the seeds of the Peter are large, broad, and plump, about ten in number; calyx segments connivent; tube conical and stamens median. In Wealthy the tube is funnel-shaped; stamens median or basal. Wyman Elliott, of Minneapolis, one of the most prominent members of the Minnesota Horticultural Society, after a careful examination of many specimens finds the Wealthy seeds smaller and more pointed; the Peter seeds larger, broader, less pointed, and a little darker when fully ripe. Even if really distinct, the two varieties are now mixed to a considerable extent.

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

PETER.

Peter is a seedling of Wealthy, which outwardly in fruit it closely resembles. The two apples differ in quality, in season, in color of flesh, and in the seeds, those of Peter being larger. Peter serves the same purposes and is adapted to the same conditions as its well-known parent. The variety was grown by Peter Gideon, Excelsior, Minnesota, and was first distributed in 1886.

Tree large, upright-spreading, with stout, drooping branches. Fruit medium or large, uniform in size and shape, oblate or round-oblate, conic, regular; stem long, sometimes short, slender; cavity acuminate, deep, broad, compressed, russeted or smooth; calyx small, closed; lobes broad, acute; basin deep, narrow, abrupt, gently furrowed, sometimes compressed; skin thin, tough, smooth, pale yellow washed and mottled with red, conspicuously striped and splashed with deep carmine; dots scattering, brown, or white and submerged; prevailing effect red or striped-red; calyx-tube small, funnel-shape; stamens median; core usually axile; cells symmetrical, closed or partly open; core-lines clasping; carpels round, emarginate; seeds large, wide, long, flat, acute; flesh yellow, sometimes stained with red, firm, medium-grained, tender, juicy, with a pleasant, mild subacid, aromatic flavor; good to very good; September and October or later.

— U.P. Hedrick, Cyclopedia of Hardy Fruits (1922)