Amsterdam
AppleAmsterdam
Origin and History
Amsterdam originated in Amsterdam, N.Y., on the farm of Joseph Britten. The variety was first described by Downing (1876). Beach (1905) could find no account of Amsterdam beyond Downing's original description, and had not seen the variety himself.
Tree
Hardy; a vigorous, stout, upright grower. An early and moderate bearer annually.
Fruit
Size and Form: Medium in size; roundish oblate, a little flattened at the ends.
Stem: Short, small.
Cavity: Medium.
Calyx: Not described in source.
Basin: Large, deep, slightly plaited.
Skin: Pale greenish yellow, striped and splashed with light and dark bright red.
Flesh and Flavor: White, half fine, tender, juicy, rather rich sweet, slightly aromatic.
Core and Seeds: Core medium. Seeds not described in source.
Season
October and November.
Uses
Not described in source.
Subtypes and Variants
Not described in source.
Other
The name "High Top Sweet" (also rendered "Hightop Sweet") is recorded by both Downing and Beach as an incorrect synonym — that is, the name was applied to this variety in error. Beach's citation places the original Downing description at Downing (1876), p. 143.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
- Beach, The Apples of New York Vol. 2 (1905)
- Downing, Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900) — listed as Amsterdam Sweet
View original book sources (2)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Amsterdam Sweet.
High Top Sweet, incorrectly.
Origin, Amsterdam, N. Y., on the farm of Joseph Britten. Tree hardy; a vigorous, stout, upright grower; an early and moderate bearer annually.
Fruit medium, roundish oblate, a little flattened at the ends; skin pale greenish yellow, striped and splashed with light and dark bright red; stalk short, small; cavity medium; basin large, deep, slightly plaited; flesh white, half fine, tender, juicy, rather rich sweet, slightly aromatic; core medium. October, November.
— S.A. Beach, The Apples of New York, Vol. 2 (1905)AMSTERDAM.
REFERENCES. 1. Downing, 1876:143 app. 2. Ragan, U. S. B. P. I. Bul., 56:26. 1905.
SYNONYMS. AMSTERDAM (2). AMSTERDAM SWEET (1). Amsterdam Sweet (2). Hightop Sweet incorrectly (1).
Downing describes this fruit as medium in size, pale greenish-yellow, striped and splashed with light and dark bright red; flesh white, half fine, tender, juicy, rather rich, sweet, slightly aromatic; season October and November. Origin Amsterdam, N. Y., on the farm of Joseph Britten (1). We find no account of Amsterdam except the one above mentioned, and have not seen the variety.