Better than Good

Origin/History

Origin uncertain; Elliott (1865) reports it as from Pennsylvania, and Downing (1900) likewise gives the origin as Pennsylvania. Warder (1867) notes the origin as uncertain, citing Elliott's Pennsylvania attribution, and observes that he, like his "standard authority," is obliged to quote from the American Pomological Society's Transactions. Elliott also remarks that it "may prove identical with some already described."

Tree

Elliott describes the tree as slender and irregular. Warder describes it as thrifty, rather slender, and very productive.

Fruit

Size

Medium (Elliott, Warder, Downing).

Form

Sources disagree on form. Elliott describes the fruit as roundish, tapering to the eye. Warder describes it as oblate. Downing describes it as roundish, inclining to conic.

Stem

Short (Warder). Not otherwise described.

Cavity

Broad (Warder). Not otherwise described.

Calyx

Closed (Warder). Not otherwise described.

Basin

Large and open (Warder). Not otherwise described.

Skin

Sources give varying accounts. Elliott describes the skin as yellowish white. Warder describes it as pale yellow, with a few brown dots. Downing describes it as pale yellow, mostly overspread, shaded and splashed with red.

Flesh and Flavor

Elliott: flesh tender, juicy, sub-acid; quality "very good." Warder: flesh yellowish, very tender, juicy; flavor mild, pleasant, sub-acid. Downing: flesh white, crisp, tender, lively subacid; quality good.

Core/Seeds

Not described in source.

Season

Sources disagree on season. Elliott calls it an Early Winter apple. Warder gives the season as November to January. Downing gives the season as September.

Uses

Not described in source.

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in source.

Other

Thomas (1903) carries only a cross-reference: "Juicy Bite. See Better than Good."