ROODE ASTRAKANER.
other Astrakan (Handbuch, I, page 79 and Beiträge zur Förderung der Obstkultur u.s.w. von l. müller in Züllichau, 1864).
Astrachan Red (Catalogue of the Fruits, N°. 17)
Anglesea Pippin (hogg, the Fruit Manuel).
See: Beschrijving der vruchtsoorten [Description of fruit varieties], first series, N°. l.
In the "Beiträge" van L. müller, Züllichau 1864, more synonyms are mentioned: Beauty of Wales (AERENTHALl), Kaiserlicher Calvill (BAUMANN) en Kaiserlicher Tafelapfel (VON FLOTOW). This last name, however, is not correct. The Kaiserlicher Tafelapfel known to us is very much different from the Rooden Astrakaner.
(Originally presumably a Russian apple. In Russia, Norway, Germany, England, France en Belgium much valued; in the Netherlands not much. We grow this variety already for about twenty years.)
SHAPE: as illustrated, few variations.
SIZE: third grade, larger on young trees.
EYE: closed, with long, green sepals, woolly, shallow basin surrounded by little ribs or folds, mostly turning into 5 flat ribs on the edge of the basin which disappear towards the stalk, sothat the base of the apple is fully rounded.
STALK: medium, green, woolly, sometimes fleshy, in a medium cavity, usually with a greyish, ray-like russeting
The COLOUR is a light yellow, almost always covered with light red ("Pfirsichroth", Handbuch) which at the sun side turns into deep purple, without stripes or flames, gold-brown lenticels in the red colour. The exact colour is difficult to illustrate, in fact it is more striking as can be seen here; when still on the tree the apple is covered by a thin whitish blue bloom which is lost when handled.
The FLESH is white, sometimes yellowish, at full ripeness pinkish red beneath the skin and around the core; rather fine, not very firm, pleasantly sour, slight scent of roses, very appealing.
TIME OF USE: August - mid September. First or second grade for dessert, also very good for the kitchen.
The TREE is a moderate grower, its one year old twigs are medium long; it is not a very tall tree, but forms a shapely crown and is very fertile: suitable for standard tree and pyramid; the apple will do well in the market. Special recommendation.