Adams

Adams

Origin/History

Originated as a Pennsylvania seedling. Elliott (1865) specifies White Deer Township, Union County, and identifies the variety under the alternate name Noll's No. 1. Downing (1900) credits the originator as James Adams of Union, Penn.

Tree

Quite strong, vigorous, and spreading. Young shoots dull reddish brown. Very productive. (Downing; Elliott does not describe the tree.)

Fruit

Size and Form: Large; roundish oblate. Downing adds slightly oblique.

Stem: Short (Downing); approximately half an inch long (Elliott).

Cavity: Downing describes it as large and deep. Elliott describes it as broad and acute. These accounts differ in character.

Calyx: Downing says generally open, with segments long and reflexed. Elliott describes the calyx as rather large, with segments closed — a direct conflict with Downing on the open/closed state.

Basin: Downing calls it large and abrupt. Elliott describes it as wide, moderately deep, and plaited.

Skin: Both sources agree on a yellow or greenish-yellow ground mottled and marked with red, but differ in emphasis. Downing describes the surface as yellow, shaded and splashed with red and russet netting. Elliott describes it as faintly mottled and striped with red on a greenish yellow ground — suggesting a somewhat lighter, less boldly marked appearance.

Flesh and Flavor: Tender and juicy; rated "Very good" by both sources. Downing describes the flesh as yellowish, tender, juicy, and slightly aromatic. Elliott describes it as greenish white, of fine texture, and rather juicy — the two sources differ on flesh color (yellowish vs. greenish white).

Season

January to April (Downing). Not described in source (Elliott).

Uses

Not described in source.

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in source.

Other

Elliott's entry carries the notation "(W. D. B.)" following the quality rating, indicating the tasting attribution within that work.