North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[david.maxwell@dal.ca]

> Does anyone know anything about this apple? I am reading an old book about New Hampshire

> and the author is singing its praises. I noticed in the latest issue of Pomona that a Red Astrakan

> is mentioned. Are there different varieties? Any info appreciated, thanks. Lisa Snow covered 12

> degrees zone 6

Red Astrachan (Astrakan, Astrakhan, etc) was grown extensively in the Eastern States and up into Canada (Ontario and the Maritimes) in the 1800's and early 1900's.  It was one of the first Russian apples imported, reportedly in 1816.  Here in Nova Scotia ( a Canadian province on the Eastern seaboard, Zone 5) there are still old timers who know the apple, and call it simply "Astrachan".  There is a mature Astrachan tree a mile or so from my house. There is general agreement among all authorities that it is a very pretty apple.  ("Scarce another apple of its season equals it in beauty of appearance..." Linus Woolverton, The Canadian Apple Grower's Guide)  It is generally listed as of good quality, ("When fully ripe and mellow, it is desirable for dessert use..." Beach, Apples of New York - hardly a glowing recommendation, but not as damning as some of Beach's comments.)  In my orchard it is distinctly mediocre, and as far as I am concerned its sole redeeming feature is that it is very early -  the beginning of August  here. 

There is another Astrachan - White Astrachan (syn. Astrachan d' Ėté, Transparente d'Ėté, Transparente Astrachan, Astrachan Blanche, etc.)  I have no experience with this whatsoever.  Beach dismisses it as "A Russian apple of little or no value for this region" (New York).  Its season is similar, an early apple, ("August and September" - Beach)  I think that when the name Astrachan is used it is invariably in reference to the Red Astrachan.

David Maxwell - Deep in frozen snow,  Zone 5