Robertson's White
AppleRobertson's White
Origin/History
Originating in Culpepper County, Virginia, where it was popular. Formerly grown in Maryland and Virginia more broadly. The variety is reported as adapted to more than one division, with two stations in the Northern Division and nine stations in the Central Division recording it; no reports were recorded for the Southern Division.
Tree
The tree is vigorous and upright in habit, with rapid growth, and is a good, regular bearer.
Fruit
Size and Form
Medium in size. Sources describe the form with slight variation: Downing describes the fruit as roundish oblate, Thomas as oblong and flattened at the ends, and the Encyclopedia of Practical Horticulture as roundish oblate. Taken together, the fruit is consistently described as oblate to roundish oblate, with Thomas's characterization of being flattened at both ends reinforcing the oblate tendency.
Stem
Not described in source.
Cavity
Not described in source.
Calyx
Not described in source.
Basin
Not described in source.
Skin
Greenish yellow, with many dark dots (Downing; Thomas similarly notes green with dark dots).
Flesh and Flavor
Flesh yellowish, fine-grained, and crisp. Juicy and subacid (Downing). Thomas adds that the flavor is sub-acid and aromatic. Quality rated good. Suited to both kitchen and market use.
Core and Seeds
Not described in source.
Season
October to December (Downing). Thomas places it in late autumn. The Encyclopedia of Practical Horticulture describes the season as early autumn — this conflicts with the October–December range given by Downing and Thomas's "late autumn" placement; the Downing and Thomas datings are from book sources and are likely more precise.
Uses
Both kitchen and market.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
The name is spelled "Roberson's White" (without the second t) in both Downing (1900) and Thomas (1903), while the Encyclopedia of Practical Horticulture (1914) gives "Robertson's White." The Missouri designation "(Mo)" appearing after the name in the Encyclopedia of Practical Horticulture may indicate a state association or trial-station designation recorded in that source.
Book Sources
Described in 3 period pomological works
- Lowther (ed.), Encyclopedia of Practical Horticulture (1914)
- Downing, Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900) — listed as Roberson's White
- Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903) — listed as Roberson's White
View original book sources (3)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Roberson's White.
Origin said to be Culpepper Co., Va., where it is popular. Tree upright, of rapid growth, and bears regular crops.
Fruit medium, roundish oblate. Color greenish yellow, with many dark dots. Flesh yellowish, fine-grained, crisp, juicy, subacid. Good. October to December.
— Granville Lowther (ed.), Encyclopedia of Practical Horticulture (1914)Robertson's White (Mo): form roundish (oblate); skin color greenish yellow; quality good; use both kitchen and market; season early autumn. Reported by 2 stations in the Northern Division and 9 stations in the Central Division, with the asterisk on each indicating the variety is reported as adapted to more than one division. Southern Division: no reports recorded.
— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)Roberson's White. Medium, oblong, flattened at ends; green, with dark dots; flesh yellowish, fine-grained, crisp, with a sub-acid, aromatic flavor. Late autumn. Tree vigorous, upright. A good bearer. Formerly grown in Maryland and Virginia.