On March 9, 1835, Ira Cole wrote to the Yankee Farmer about three varieties of apple. We continue with his description of the third apple, which he calls the “Columbian Pippin:”
The Yankee Farmer
No. 6, Vol. 1
Cornish, Maine, March 16, 1835
Mr. Cole, - Agreeably to your request, I improve the first opportunity in describing a few varieties of apples, which I consider among the most valuable.
Columbian Pippin. - This apple is equalled by few, and surpassed by none, in its season: the tree is large, thrifty and hardy, but delights in a rich strong soil; the fruit is of large size delightfully fair, thin delicate skin, pale straw color, conical form, and semitransluscent. It is of a very mild sour, rich, juicy, and of a spicy delicious flavor. It is in use from Sept. to Nov. and equally valuable for cooking or the desert. In alternate years it bears in great abundance and in the intermediate years, lightly. It originated in the same Orchard with the Table Greening.
Yours Respectfully,
IRA COLE
Limerick, Maine, March 9, 1835.
So here’s another apple, which originated along with his “Table Greening,” in Ira’s own orchard located in Cornish Maine. An internet search tells us that Columbian Pippin was being grown by a couple orchardists in 1848, and 1850. So, apparently Ira managed to sell some scions, and the name Columbian Pippin stuck for a while before this variety faded away. Here are a couple new terms a new Heirloom Orchardist can learn from Ira’s description:
Pippin: I love this term. A “pippin” is an old English word derived from the French word for 'seedling'. But in slang, “pippin” is also something or someone that is very much admired. So, it is understandable that an old orchardist could want to call every new apple in his orchard a Pippin.
Biennial Bearing apple: In alternate years, the Columbian Pippin "bears in great abundance." Many heirloom apple trees tend to be biennial bearers. Apparently, the Columbian Pippin was such a variety. This tendency means that they may bear a heavy crop of fruit every other year and a small crop in “off” years.
