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White Norman

Apple

White Norman

Origin / History

The origin of White Norman is unknown. It seems to correspond with the celebrated old Normandy variety Blanc-Mollet, so much grown all through the orchards of the North-West of France. In France it is also called Pomme de Neige, La Blanche, and various other local names in different districts. It has been described for nearly a century past (see French "Report," p. 147).

Tree

The tree is of middle size, vigorous and fertile. It is very generally cultivated.

Fruit

Size: Small.

Form: Roundish, with obtuse angles on the sides, which are sometimes pretty prominent.

Stem: Long and very slender, deeply inserted.

Cavity: The hollow of the stalk is lined with russet, which extends in ramifications a little way over the base.

Calyx: Eye very small, with small convergent segments. Tube deep, conical. Stamens marginal.

Basin: Deep, plaited or slightly ribbed.

Skin: Perfectly white, or rather a very pale straw color, clear and waxen-like.

Dots: Only a few large russet dots, distantly sprinkled over the surface.

Flesh and flavor: Flesh snow white, soft, and spongy, with a marked astringency or bitterness mixed with sweetness. The fruit is early, soft and juicy. Its juice is rather dark in color, with a rich and rather bitter flavor.

Core and seeds: Cells of the core open and very large for the size of the fruit. Cell-walls elliptical.

Season

The fruit is early.

Uses

Not described in source.

Subtypes / Variants

Not described in source.

Other

Chemical analysis by Mr. G. H. With, F.R.A.S.:

Density of fresh juice: 1.040 Density after 24 hours: 1.042

In 100 parts by weight of juice:

Sugar: 10.770 Tannin, Mucilage, Salts, &c.: 3.633 Water: 85.597

Book Sources

Described in 1 period pomological work

Nursery Catalog Sources

Found in 2 catalogs (1901–1911) from England, Illinois

View original book sources (1)
  1. WHITE NORMAN.

The origin of this apple is unknown. It seems to correspond with the celebrated old Normandy variety, Blanc-Mollet, so much grown all through the orchards of the North-West of France. It is there also called Pomme de Neige, La Blanche, and various other local names in different districts. It has been described for nearly a century past (see French "Report," p. 147).

Description.—Fruit, small, roundish, and with obtuse angles on the sides, which are sometimes pretty prominent. Skin, perfectly white, or rather a very pale straw colour, clear and waxen-like, and with only a few large russet dots, distantly sprinkled over the surface; the hollow of the stalk is lined with russet, which extends in ramifications a little way over the base. Eye, very small, with small convergent segments, set in a deep basin, which is plaited or slightly ribbed; tube, deep, conical; stamens, marginal. Stalk, long, and very slender, deeply inserted. Flesh, snow white, soft, and spongy, with a marked astringency or bitterness mixed with sweetness. Cells of the core, open, and very large for the size of the fruit; cell-walls, elliptical.

The tree is of middle size, vigorous and fertile. It is very generally cultivated. The fruit is early, soft and juicy; its juice being rather dark in colour, with a rich and rather bitter flavour.

Chemical analysis by Mr. G. H. With, F.R.A.S.:—

Density of fresh juice ... ... ... ... 1.040 Density after 24 hours ... ... ... ... 1.042

In 100 parts by weight of juice:

Sugar ... ... ... ... ... 10.770 Tannin, Mucilage, Salts, &c. ... ... ... 3.633 Water ... ... ... ... ... 85.597

— Woolhope Naturalists Field Club, The Herefordshire Pomona (1885)
Blanc-Mollet La Blanche Pomme de Neige