ROODE REINETTE D' OR.
einette d' or, roode (Beschrijving der vruchtsoorten [Description of fruit varieties], first series, N°. 74).
Rothe Casseler Reinette (exported to Germany under this name).
We could not find this variety in any of the pomological books at our disposal. However, it is a well-known Dutch variety of long standing, but we have no information how old it could be.
SHAPE: very regular.
SIZE: second grade; on young trees often considerably larger than our reproduction.
EYE: closed; sepals are broad, black-brown, broad basin, surrounded by some small ribs.
STALK: 15 - 20 mms long, woody, brown, in a regular cavity, often with some light grey russeting.
The COLOUR is mostly even more violet-red than in our illustration; many small, grey, unevenly spread lenticels. The skin is only slightly rough, becomes glossy when rubbed.
The FLESH is fine, even finer than the normal Reinette d' or (N°.11), first very firm and crispy, when ripe winelike sour, very pleasant. The core is medium sized, as are the flat, pointed, brown pips.
TIME OF USE: March and April, will last until July with a little effort; to be used as dessert apple not before full ripeness; first grade for dessert and kitchen, very good for drying.
The TREE is a strong grower in its youth, a growth more moderate later because of its fertility.
The tree looks a lot like N°. 11: twigs are long and thick, violet-brown, a bit more olive at the shadow side; many oblong, whitish grey lenticels; buds are close together, flat, cone-shaped; shoots are light violet and woolly; leaf stalks are 30 - 40 mms long, often red at the base; leaves are big, broad-oval, a bit twisted at the top end, coarsely serrated, dark green with some red in the main veins, woolly underneath.
Can be recommended as standard tree and pyramid, also suitable for the commercial orchard.