HARBERTS REINETTE.
arberts Reinette (Beschrijving der vruchtsoorten [Description of fruit varieties], third series, N°. 187); Handbuch, IV, page 163; L. MÜLLER, Obstk., N°. 64, page 57).
Harberts reinettenartiger Rambour (oberdieck, Anleitung , page 169).
According to the Handbuch, diel received the variety from Mr. harbert from Arnsberg (Westphalia, Germany); diel thinks it likely that the apple originates from a monastery. In any case it seems to be a German variety. We received it from Mr. OBERDIECK, who described it for the Handbuch, without quoting his Anleitung.
SHAPE: as our illustration; the Handbuch mentions some variation in height.
SIZE: second grade, from older trees third grade.
EYE: open, with rather long and pointed sepals, grey-brown, in a wide , shallow basin surrounded by little folds; inconspicuous flat rises occur all over the fruit.
STALK: 30 mms long, usually thin, woody, brown, in a wide, rather deep cavity, with a thin, brown russeting. Some apples show a shorter stalk, fleshy, more yellow-brown with a less deep cavity.
The COLOUR is as in our illustration, with many variable lenticels. Occasional russet spots in a crimson circle, occasional thin russeting. The skin is rather thick, smooth, not waxy.
The FLESH is creamy white with green-yellow veins, rather coarse structure, rather juicy, sweetish sour, a little aromatic, but really no comparison to the Wijker Pippeling (Reinette von Orleans) as is claimed in Germany. The core is large and open, cells are large and contain usually imperfect, black-brown pips.
TIME OF USE: November - February; second or third grade for dessert, first grade for the kitchen.
The TREE is a very strong grower, builds a high crown and bears mildly. The twigs of young trees are 120 - 140 cms long, slender, brown-violet with occasional large, grey lenticels. Buds are cone-shaped, standing off; the shoots are long, glossy brown, with few lenticels and woolly at the top. Leaf stalks are 20 - 30 mms , thick, a bit grooved; leaves are round, heart-shaped, coarsely veined, serrating large and sharp.
This variety can be used as a standard tree or pyramid; in Germany it is recommended to the farmer in particular.