Winter Pippin

Winter Pippin

Origin/History

An old Eastern variety. Downing lists it as also circulating under the name Autumn Pippin. Warder received the fruit from T.T. Lyon of Plymouth, Michigan, where it was represented as having come from Western New York; Warder believed it to be the same variety Downing describes as the Winter Pippin of Geneva. The fruit was a strong competitor for the Greeley prize before the Committee of the American Institute.

Tree

Sources agree the tree is spreading and productive. Downing describes it as vigorous and upright; Warder describes it as thrifty with spreading branches. Young shoots are dark grayish reddish brown (Downing).

Fruit

Size: Warder describes the fruit as large; Downing describes it as medium. These accounts conflict and may reflect different selections or strains.

Form: Warder describes the fruit as oblate, regular or slightly unequal. Downing describes it as roundish conic, slightly ribbed. These descriptions are in direct conflict.

Skin: Surface smooth (Warder). Color described by Warder as pale yellow with a bright crimson cheek. Downing describes the color as greenish yellow, rarely with a shade of dull red in the sun. Dots numerous and minute (Warder).

Stem/Stalk: Warder describes the stem as long; Downing describes the stalk as rather short. These accounts conflict directly.

Cavity: Regular, green, rather deep (Warder). Not described in Downing.

Calyx/Eye: Warder describes the eye as medium and closed. Downing describes the calyx as partially closed.

Basin: Wide, wavy or plaited (Warder). Not described in Downing.

Flesh/Flavor: Warder describes the flesh as yellowish-white, fine grained, juicy, and sub-acid. Downing describes it as white, tender, juicy, pleasant, and mild subacid. Both sources agree on juiciness and mild subacid character; Warder specifies fine grain and a yellowish tint to the white flesh. Downing rates quality as Good.

Core/Seeds: Warder describes the core as medium, regular, closed, clasping the eye, with numerous plump seeds. Downing describes the core as rather small.

Season

Warder gives the season as January until May. Downing gives January to March. Both agree on a midwinter through late-winter season; Warder's range extends considerably later into spring.

Uses

Not described in source.

Subtypes/Variants

Warder notes the variety was received under the designation "Winter Pippin of Geneva" and is believed by him to be the same variety Downing describes under that name, though he expresses some uncertainty. The multiple conflicting physical descriptions between the two sources (size, form, stalk length) may indicate that either the specimens compared were not identical, or that the name covered more than one strain in circulation.

Other

Warder notes that his limited acquaintance with the variety does not justify the high praises Downing bestows upon it. Downing rates it simply as Good.