William Crump

Apple

William Crump

Origin/History

Raised by Mr. W. Crump from Cox's Orange Pippin and Worcester Pearmain, and introduced by Messrs. Rowe, of Worcester (E.A. Bunyard, 1920). First documented in the Gardeners' Chronicle, 1909, p. 21. Described as "a good addition to the late dessert sorts" and "a rather distinct variety."

Conflicting attribution: The 1914 George Bunyard catalog attributes the raising of this variety to Dr. Hogg. E.A. Bunyard (1920) attributes it to Mr. W. Crump. As Dr. Robert Hogg died in 1897 and the variety first appears in print in 1909, the attribution to Crump is almost certainly correct; the catalog entry appears to contain an error.

Tree

Growth moderate, upright (E.A. Bunyard, 1920). Young shoot growth crimson and persistent (George Bunyard Catalog, 1914). Leaf rather large, dark, held horizontal and upfolded, slightly twisted, boldly serrate (E.A. Bunyard, 1920). Fertility variable: not very fertile at Allington, but reported to crop well with its raiser (E.A. Bunyard, 1920). Noted to do well by Moore, Ham (George Bunyard Catalog, 1914).

Fruit

Size: Medium; approximately 2½ inches in diameter by 1¾ inches in height (E.A. Bunyard, 1920).

Form: Round conical, regular (E.A. Bunyard, 1920); described as roundish in the 1914 catalog — consistent readings.

Stem: Short, set in a deep and rather narrow cavity (E.A. Bunyard, 1920).

Cavity: Deep and rather narrow (E.A. Bunyard, 1920).

Calyx: Closed (E.A. Bunyard, 1920).

Basin: Round, even (E.A. Bunyard, 1920).

Skin: Greenish-yellow ground, almost entirely covered with dark brown-red and light russet (E.A. Bunyard, 1920). Described in the 1914 catalog as "beautifully coloured" with a slight yellow tint, consistent with the book description.

Flesh/Flavor: Rather firm; greenish-yellow in color; of good flavor (E.A. Bunyard, 1920; flavor confirmed by George Bunyard Catalog, 1914). Described as "very valuable for dessert purposes."

Core/Seeds: Not described in source.

Season

December to February (E.A. Bunyard, 1920).

Note on catalog notation: The 1914 George Bunyard catalog carries the notation "Syn.Oct." immediately after the variety class. If "Oct." is read as a season indicator (October), it would conflict with the December–February season given by E.A. Bunyard (1920). If it represents an abbreviated synonym, the identity of that synonym is not clear from the text. The 1920 book source is treated as authoritative for season.

Uses

Dessert (both sources). Valued for both dessert use and market (George Bunyard Catalog, 1914).

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in source.

Other

Not described in source.

Book Sources

Described in 1 period pomological work

Bunyard, A Handbook of Hardy Fruits (1920)

View original book sources (2)

Dessert; Syn.Oct. Roundish, beautify coloured and with slight yellow tint. Flavour good. Rather distinct variety. Raised by Dr. Hogg. Very valuable for dessert purposes and for market. Young growth crimson; persistent. Y.C. does well by Moore, Ham.

— George Bunyard & Co., George Bunyard Catalog of Fruit Trees (1914) (1914)

WILLIAM CRUMP. Gard. Chron., 1909, p. 21. Dessert, December to February, medium, 2½ by 1¾, round conical, regular. Colour, greenish-yellow, almost covered with dark brown-red and light russet. Flesh, rather firm, greenish-yellow, of good flavour. Eye, closed in a round even basin. Stem, short in a deep and rather narrow cavity. Growth, moderate, upright. Leaf, rather large, dark, horizontal upfolded, little twisted, boldly serrate. Origin, raised by Mr. W. Crump from Cox's Orange and Worcester Pearmain, and introduced by Messrs. Rowe, of Worcester. A good addition to the late dessert sorts. So far it is not very fertile with me at Allington, but it crops well with its raiser.

— E.A. Bunyard, A Handbook of Hardy Fruits (1920)