Malus domestica ‘Rymer’

‘Fruit, large, three inches and a quarter wide, and two inches and three quarters high; roundish, and flattened, with five obscure ribs, on the sides, extending into the basin of the eye. Skin, smooth, thinly strewed with redish-brown dots, and a few faint streaks of pale red on the shaded side ; and of a beautiful deep red, covered with yellowish-grey dots, on the side next the sun. Eye, open, with broad reflexed segments, set in a round and moderately deep basin. Stalk, short, inserted in a round and deep cavity, lined with rough russet, which extends in ramifications over the base. Flesh, yellowish, tender, and pleasantly sub-acid. A good culinary apple, in use from October to Christmas.’ [Hogg p.177/1851].

 

 

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘This apple was raised by a gentleman of the name of Rymer, at Thirsk, in Yorkshire.’ [George Lindley – Orchard guide p.33/1831].

Introduced at the end of the 18th century in Yorkshire. A free growing tree and a good bearer. A good culinary apple, ripe from October to December. [HP pl.XXXIX].

 

 

History at Camden Park

Listed in all catalogues [Apple no.3/1843]. There are two references to the quality of fruit in William Macarthur’s records.

Caldwell’s Keeping.  March-June.  Great, very handsome large highly coloured apple, good for kitchen. [Notebook no.9, MP A2948].

March-June.  Very handsome large highly [word indistinct but probably] coloured apple good for kitchen, not very good for dessert. [Diary B, 1862, MP A2951].

 

 

Notes

The identity of Macarthur’s ‘Caldwell’s Keeping’ is in some doubt, ‘Rymer’ seems the most likely possibility except that the Herefordshire Pomona does not seem to consider ‘Rymer’ to be a keeping apple.

 

 

Published Apr 15, 2010 - 02:24 PM | Last updated Jul 25, 2011 - 05:08 PM

6 varieties of apple are depicted, all with yellow skins streaked with red. Herefordshire Pomona pl.39, 1878.

Apple ‘Rymer’ | HP pl.39/1878 - Rymer is at bottom right | RBGS

 

More details about Malus domestica ‘Rymer’
Family Rosaceae
Category
Region of origin

Garden origin, England
Synonyms
  • Caldwell
  • Green Cossings
  • Newbold’s Duke of York

 
Common Name

Apple, Culinary apple
Name in the Camden Park Record

Caldwell’s Keeping 

 

 
Confidence level medium