Summer Thorle
Apple
Summer Thorle
Origin/History
Summer Thorle is a Scotch apple of untraced origin. The Herefordshire Pomona (1885) notes that its origin is not given in any of the leading works of authority, and suggests the name may be derived from its resemblance to the "Whorle," which was the propelling power, or rather the impetus, of the spindle when the distaff and spindle were widely in use. Downing confirms it as a favorite Scotch apple.
In Scotland and the North and East of England it is to be met with in almost every garden and orchard, but in the South and West it is but little known.
Tree
The tree grows freely and makes an excellent pyramid. Downing further characterizes the growth habit as rather pendent, and notes it is very productive, bearing in clusters. When the tree is loaded with fruit, as it usually is, it presents a very beautiful object.
Fruit
Size and Form
Below medium size, or small: two inches and a quarter wide at the middle, and an inch and three quarters high. Oblate, handsome, and regularly formed.
Stem
The stalk is a quarter of an inch long, short, inserted in a wide cavity.
Cavity
Wide.
Calyx and Basin
The eye is scarcely at all depressed, large, half open, with broad and flat segments, which frequently appear as if rent from each other by an over-swelling of the fruit. Set in a very shallow basin, which is often very russety and deeply and coarsely cracked.
Skin
The two sources give somewhat differing accounts of the coloration. The Herefordshire Pomona describes the skin as smooth, shining, and glossy, almost entirely covered with fine bright crimson, marked with broken streaks of darker crimson; on any shaded portion, it is a fine clear yellow, lightly streaked with pale crimson — that is, predominantly crimson with yellow visible only in shade. Downing describes the fruit as rich yellow with mottled stripes of rich red, suggesting a yellow ground more prominently displayed.
Flesh and Flavor
Yellowish white, firm, crisp, and very juicy, with a brisk, refreshing, and pleasant flavor. Downing characterizes the flavor specifically as brisk subacid.
Core and Seeds
Not described in source.
Season
Ripe in August (Herefordshire Pomona). Downing extends the season to August and September.
Uses
A beautiful little summer dessert apple of excellent quality.
Storage
Not described in source.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
- Downing, Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)
- The Herefordshire Pomona (1876–1885) — listed as Whorle Pippin
View original book sources (2)
— Woolhope Naturalists Field Club, The Herefordshire Pomona (1885)
- WHORLE PIPPIN.
[Syn : Lady Derby ; Thorle Pippin ; Summer Thorle ; Watson's New Nonsuch.]
The origin of this Apple is not given in any of the leading works of authority. Its name has been supposed to be derived from its resemblance to the "Whorle," which was the propelling power, or rather impetus of the spindle, when the distaff and spindle were so much in use.
Description.—Fruit : below medium size, two inches and a quarter wide at the middle, and an inch and three quarters high ; oblate, handsome and regularly formed. Skin : smooth, shining and glossy, almost entirely covered with fine bright crimson, which is marked with broken streaks of darker crimson, but on any portion shaded, it is a fine clear yellow, a little streaked with pale crimson. Eye : scarcely at all depressed, large, half open, with broad and flat segments, which frequently appear as if rent from each other by an over swelling of the fruit ; set in a very shallow basin, which is often very russety, deeply and coarsely cracked. Stalk : a quarter of an inch long, inserted in a wide cavity. Flesh : yellowish white, firm, crisp, and very juicy ; with a brisk, refreshing and pleasant flavour.
A beautiful little summer dessert apple of excellent quality. It is ripe in August, and when the tree is loaded with fruit, as it usually is, it presents a very beautiful object.
The tree grows freely and makes an excellent pyramid. In Scotland and the North and East of England, it is to be met with in almost every garden and orchard, but in the South and West it is but little known.
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Summer Thorle.
Thorie. Thoral Pippin. Whorle Pippin. Watson's New Nonsuch.
A favorite Scotch Apple. Tree a free grower, rather pendent, very productive, bearing in clusters.
Fruit small, oblate, rich yellow, with mottled stripes of rich red. Stalk short. Calyx half open. Flesh yellowish white, firm, crisp, juicy, brisk subacid. August, September. (Ron.)