Warner's King

Origin/History

The origin of Warner's King is not given in any of the leading orchard authorities and remains uncertain, though it is generally considered Kentish and dates from the early nineteenth century (Bunyard). Mr. Lewis A. Killick, writing in the Journal of Horticulture, reported finding this apple in almost every fruit-growing district, usually under different names. In Kent he could not trace it under the name of Warner's King for many years, but was certain from his own examination that it had been grown for nearly fifty years under a local name. In Middlesex he had seen it under the name of Salopian, and was himself growing it as Nelson's Glory and D. T. Fish. One of the leading nurserymen had imported a "new" apple from Scotland which acquired a great reputation three or four years prior at the Crystal Palace on account of its size and appearance, but it proved to be Warner's King. Killick concluded that "Mr. Warner's King was the King of many other people beside himself; but Mr. Warner recognising true loyalty linked his fortunes to those of the rising monarch."

In a subsequent direct communication, Killick stated that the apple he had mentioned as having been grown locally for 50 years, and which turned out to be Warner's King, originated in an orchard in Weavering Street, near Maidstone, then in the possession of his brother, Mr. Austen Killick. The tree consisted of about two-thirds Devonshire Quarrenden and one-third "Killick's Big Apple," as it was called. Killick could trace it back nearly 40 years with certainty, and the tree was then full grown, so he had no doubt it must be over 50 years old, even if a graft had been introduced into the Old Quarrenden tree. Grafted trees had been propagated for many years, and it was grown largely in the neighbourhood of Maidstone as The Weavering, or Killick's Apple. Most growers who had planted Warner's King were discovering their identity (Herefordshire Pomona).

Tree

The tree is very hardy, a free and vigorous grower, and a good bearer, not subject to disease (Herefordshire Pomona; Downing). It grows vigorously and has a very upright mode of growth; therefore in overcrowded orchards, Killick recommended, instead of grubbing up the superfluous trees, to graft them with this variety, and in a few years the others would probably then receive the same fate. It succeeds admirably as an espalier and should find a place in every garden of choice fruit (Herefordshire Pomona). Bunyard characterizes growth as vigorous and fertility as moderate, and notes that this apple is rather liable to canker. The Central Experimental Farm record (Agassiz BC, planted Spring 1890) describes the tree as a vigorous grower and a regular bearer.

Leaf: large, very long oval, very dark, very undulating, nearly flat, sharply serrate (Bunyard).

Bark, twigs, lenticels, and buds: Not described in source.

Fruit

Size: Very large — four inches wide and three inches and a half high (Herefordshire Pomona); 4 by 3 (Bunyard); very large (Downing; Central Experimental Farm).

Form: Ovate (Herefordshire Pomona); roundish ovate (Downing; Central Experimental Farm); flat conical, irregular (Bunyard).

Stem/Stalk: Half an inch long, deeply inserted in a round, funnel-shaped cavity which is lined with thin yellowish brown russet (Herefordshire Pomona). Downing describes the stalk as short. Bunyard describes the stem as fairly long, in a very deep, slightly russet cavity.

Cavity: Round, funnel-shaped, lined with thin yellowish brown russet (Herefordshire Pomona); very deep, slightly russet (Bunyard).

Calyx/Eye: Small and closed, with long acuminate segments (Herefordshire Pomona). Downing: calyx small, closed. Bunyard: eye closed.

Basin: Narrow, deep, and slightly angular (Herefordshire Pomona); very broad and deep (Bunyard). Sources disagree on width — Herefordshire Pomona describes it as narrow, while Bunyard describes it as very broad.

Skin: Of a uniform clear deep yellow, strewed with russety dots and patches of pale brown russet (Herefordshire Pomona). Downing: deep yellow, with russet dots and patches. Bunyard: pale green to pale yellow. Central Experimental Farm: yellow, with a few russet dots and patches.

Flesh/Flavor: White, tender, crisp, and juicy, with a fine brisk and subacid flavour (Herefordshire Pomona). Downing: white, tender, crisp, brisk subacid. Bunyard: tender, white, acid. Central Experimental Farm: white, tender, crisp, sub-acid.

Core/Seeds: Not described in source.

Season

In season from November to March (Herefordshire Pomona; Downing). Bunyard: keeps till February. Central Experimental Farm: November and December.

Uses

A fine, handsome, culinary apple of first-rate quality (Herefordshire Pomona). Valuable for culinary use (Downing). Culinary (Bunyard). A good cooking apple (Central Experimental Farm). This is perhaps the most favourite culinary apple in cultivation, and usually takes the first place in its class at all fruit exhibitions (Herefordshire Pomona).

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in source.

Other

Not described in source.