Belle Et Bonne
AppleBelle Et Bonne
Origin / History
An old Connecticut apple, first noted by Downing (1857) as a Connecticut variety occasionally found in Southeastern New York. It was particularly esteemed in the neighborhood of Hartford (Thomas, 1903). Downing regarded it as probably identical with the Belle Bonne of Hogg, which was first described by Parkinson in 1629. It is quite distinct from Billy Bond. Although an old variety, it has never become a standard kind in the markets of New York State.
Tree
Tree large, vigorous. Form roundish, spreading. Twigs rather long, stout, somewhat pubescent. Bark dull reddish-brown. Trees are a little slow about coming into bearing. In hardiness, health, and longevity it ranks about with Baldwin.
Fruit
Size: Large to very large.
Form: Roundish oblate, flattened at ends, obtuse (Thomas).
Stem: Short.
Cavity: Wide, deep, thinly russeted (Beach).
Calyx: Closed (Beach).
Basin: Beach describes the basin as medium in width and depth; Thomas describes it as wide and deep. Both sources agree it is the location of the calyx.
Skin: Deep yellow or greenish (Beach); greenish yellow (Thomas). Smooth, uniform in size (Beach).
Dots: Small (Beach).
Flesh / Flavor: Flesh tinged with yellow (Beach) or yellow (Thomas); firm and rather coarse (Beach) or tender and large-grained (Thomas) — the two sources conflict on texture. Juicy (Beach). Flavor mild subacid, agreeable. Beach rates the quality as good; Thomas rates it very good. Beach notes it is rather too mild in flavor to be desirable for general purposes.
Core / Seeds: Not described in source.
Season
Early winter, about the same season as Hubbardston (Beach).
Uses
The fruit is large, handsome, and smooth (Beach). Much esteemed in the neighborhood of Hartford (Thomas). Not recommended for general planting in New York; has never become a standard market kind in that state (Beach).
Subtypes / Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Bearing habit: moderately productive (Beach) or productive (Thomas — conflict), usually bearing biennially (Beach). Fruit uniform in size (Beach).
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
View original book sources (2)
— S.A. Beach, The Apples of New York, Vol. 1 (1905)BELLE ET BONNE.
REFERENCES. 1. Downing, 1857:118. 2. Downing, 1872:91. 3. Hogg, (?) 1884:18. 4. Thomas, 1885:242. 5. Mich. Hort. Soc. Rept., 1890:288. 6. Ill. Sta. Bul., 45:314. 1896. 7. Thomas, 1903:337.
SYNONYMS. Bellyband (?) (3). Rolland (?) (3). Tenon Hills (1, 2). Winter Belle Bonne (?) (3).
This old Connecticut variety (1, 2) is found occasionally in Southeastern New York. The fruit is large, handsome, smooth, uniform in size and of about the same season as Hubbardston. It is rather too mild in flavor to be desirable for general purposes. Although an old variety it has never become a standard kind in the markets of this state. In hardiness, health and longevity it ranks about with Baldwin. The trees are moderately productive, usually bearing biennially. They are a little slow about coming into bearing. It is not recommended for planting in New York. Downing regards it as probably identical with the Belle Bonne of Hogg (1, 2, 3) which was first described by Parkinson in 1629. It is quite distinct from Billy Bond.
TREE.
Tree large, vigorous. Form roundish, spreading. Twigs rather long, stout, somewhat pubescent. Bark dull reddish-brown.
FRUIT.
Fruit large to very large. Form roundish oblate. Stem short. Cavity wide, deep, thinly russeted. Calyx closed. Basin medium in width and depth. Skin deep yellow or greenish. Dots small. Flesh tinged with yellow, firm, rather coarse, juicy, mild subacid, good. Season, early winter.
— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)Belle et Bonne. Large, roundish, flattened at ends, obtuse; greenish yellow; stem short; calyx in a wide, deep basin; flesh yellow, tender, large grained, sub-acid, agreeable, and very good. Early winter. A Connecticut apple; a strong growing and productive variety, much esteemed in the neighborhood of Hartford.