Winter Pomeroy
Apple
Winter Pomeroy
Origin/History
The Winter Pomeroy is a traditional Herefordshire variety found in most of the leading garden-orchards of that county, though in many cases its name had been forgotten by the late nineteenth century. It was a great favourite of the late Mr. Godsall of Hereford, at whose nursery grounds a specimen tree existed; he propagated it extensively. It was regularly brought to the Christmas market at Hereford, where it was sold under the name "Green Blenheim" — described in the Herefordshire Pomona as "of course merely a tribute to the popularity of the Blenheim Orange." Thomas (1903) records the variety under the entry "Pomeroy" and notes it as a winter apple grown in New York.
Tree
The tree is hardy and bears well. Not otherwise described in source.
Fruit
Size and Form
Medium sized. Roundish, inclining to ovate, flattened at the base, and distinctly five-sided, especially towards the apex, where the angles form distinct ridges. Thomas describes the form as regular and ovate.
Stem
Upwards of half an inch long, very slender.
Cavity
Deep and narrow, lined with a patch of pale brown russet.
Calyx
Open.
Basin
Moderately deep, with somewhat connivent segments.
Tube and Stamens
The tube is short conical; the stamens are inserted in the middle of the tube.
Skin
Smooth. On the shaded side, deep yellow when ripe, strewed with large russet dots. On the side next the sun, coloured with a bright red cheek. Thomas describes the colouring as shaded and striped red.
Flesh and Flavor
Flesh color: The Herefordshire Pomona describes the flesh as yellowish; Thomas describes it as whitish.
Texture: Firm and crisp (Herefordshire Pomona); crisp (Thomas). Sources agree on crispness.
Flavor: The Herefordshire Pomona describes a pleasant subacid flavour. Thomas describes the flavor as sweet. The two sources conflict on this point.
Core and Seeds
The cells of the core are open and regular. Not further described in source.
Season
Winter. In season from October to December (Herefordshire Pomona). Thomas concurs: winter.
Uses
An excellent culinary apple (Herefordshire Pomona). Always brought to the Christmas market at Hereford. Thomas does not specify use.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source. The Herefordshire Pomona notes that "both these Pomeroys" (referring to Winter Pomeroy and a companion variety, presumably Summer Pomeroy) are found in Herefordshire garden-orchards, indicating a distinct summer counterpart exists.
Other
The Herefordshire Pomona includes a color plate illustration (Plate II).
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
- The Herefordshire Pomona (1876–1885)
- Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903) — listed as Pomeroy
View original book sources (2)
— Woolhope Naturalists Field Club, The Herefordshire Pomona (1885)Plate II.
- WINTER POMEROY.
Description.—Fruit; medium sized, roundish, inclining to ovate, flattened at the base, and distinctly five-sided, especially towards the apex, where the angles form distinct ridges. Skin; smooth, deep yellow on the shaded side, when ripe, and strewed with large russet dots; on the side next the sun, it is coloured with a bright red cheek. Eye; open, set in a moderately deep basin with somewhat connivent segments; the tube is short conical, and the stamens are inserted in the middle of the tube. Stalk upwards of half an inch long, very slender, and inserted in a deep narrow cavity, which is lined with a patch of pale brown russet. Flesh yellowish, firm and crisp in texture, with a pleasant subacid flavour. The cells of the core are open and regular.
This is an excellent culinary apple, in season from October to December.
The tree is hardy and bears well. Both these Pomeroys are to be found in most of the leading garden-orchards of Herefordshire, though for the most part their names are forgotten. The Winter Pomeroy is the most frequent, which may perhaps be accounted for by the fact that a tree exists in the old Nursery grounds of the late Mr. Godsall at Hereford, with whom this variety was a great favourite, and who propagated it extensively. It is always brought to the Christmas market, and sold under the absurd name of "Green Blenheim," which is of course merely a tribute to the popularity of the Blenheim Orange.
— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)Pomeroy. Medium, regular, ovate; shaded and striped red. Flesh whitish, crisp, sweet. Winter. N. Y.