Cultivar 332: Lambton

Lambton is a prairie apple cultivar from the University of Saskatchewan. It is recorded as a cross of 'Columbia' x 'Melba.' [S1] [S3] Saskatchewan introduction records list it as A60-201, placing it in the university's mid century apple breeding work. [S3] Sources place its year in 1950 or 1960. [S1] [S3]

At Saskatoon, under non irrigated field conditions, the fruit was described as mid season, slightly wedge shaped, and up to about 2 1/4 by 1 3/4 inches. [S3] A prairie index table also described it as small, with pale yellow skin, a brownish blush, white flesh, fresh use, and medium season. [S1] The flesh was described as white and mild sub acid, and its quality was said to be good when sound. [S3]

Its main weakness was keeping quality. A University of Saskatchewan description says the fruit tends to break down prematurely. This helps explain why later Saskatchewan guidance grouped Lambton among varieties that lacked enough size or quality compared with stronger alternatives. [S2] [S3]

The available sources say little about the tree itself beyond its Saskatchewan testing context. Lambton was observed at Saskatoon without irrigation, but the sources used here give no direct zone rating or winter survival statement. [S3] It should therefore be read as a Saskatchewan bred and Saskatchewan tested apple with limited hardiness detail still to be filled in. [S3]

Lambton also shows how prairie breeding records can preserve a cultivar even when only a few brief descriptions survive. Its documented parentage, introduction code, and field notes give it a clear place in the University of Saskatchewan apple program, while later recommendation literature shows that not every introduction remained notable for fruit quality. [S1] [S2] [S3]

Summary source basis

• S1: An index of fruit cultivars tested or developed on the Canadian prairies.
• S2: hortfacts_1976_3.pdf
• S3: University of Saskatchewan fruit introductions 1959-1960

This summary currently draws chiefly from University of Saskatchewan fruit introductions 1959-1960, with 2 additional supporting sources linked below.

Featured source descriptions

“University of Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan.”
— ^[2]

“Table row 351 describes Lambton as small, pale yellow with brownish blush, white flesh, for fresh use, and medium season.”
— ^[2]

“Lacks size and/or quality compared with other varieties.”
— ^[3]

Direct parent cultivars

• No direct linked parent cultivars promoted yet.

Parentage claim text

• 'Columbia' x 'Melba'.
• Parentage is Columbia x Melba.

Derived or downstream cultivar links

• No derived or downstream lineage links yet.

Source-story quotations

• A60-201 Lambton Columbia x Melba 1960 mid season; slightly wedge-shape, up to 2 1/4" x 1 3/4" under field conditions, without irrigation, at Saskatoon pale yellow ground with slight brownish blush; mild sub-acid; flesh white, tends to break down prematurely, quality when sound, good.University of Saskatchewan fruit introductions 1959-1960, p5
• A60-201 Lambton Columbia x Melba 1960 mid season; slightly wedge-shape, up to 2 1/4" x 1 3/4" under field conditions, without irrigation, at Saskatoon pale yellow ground with slight brownish blush; mild sub-acid; flesh white, tends to break down prematurely, quality when sound, good.University of Saskatchewan fruit introductions 1959-1960, p5
• A60-201 Lambton Columbia x Melba 1960 mid season; slightly wedge-shape, up to 2 1/4" x 1 3/4" under field conditions, without irrigation, at Saskatoon pale yellow ground with slight brownish blush; mild sub-acid; flesh white, tends to break down prematurely, quality when sound, good.University of Saskatchewan fruit introductions 1959-1960, p5
• A60-201 Lambton Columbia x Melba 1960 mid season; slightly wedge-shape, up to 2 1/4" x 1 3/4" under field conditions, without irrigation, at Saskatoon pale yellow ground with slight brownish blush; mild sub-acid; flesh white, tends to break down prematurely, quality when sound, good.University of Saskatchewan fruit introductions 1959-1960, p5

Taxonomy context: No family-tree context surfaced yet.

Related cultivars mentioned in source context