Black Jack
AppleBlack Jack
Origin/History
Received by A.J. Downing from W. C. Hampton of Ohio. A specimen was planted at the Central Experimental Farm, Agassiz, British Columbia, in the spring of 1893.
Tree
A vigorous grower (Central Experimental Farm). Not further described in book source.
Fruit
Size
Downing describes the fruit as medium. The Central Experimental Farm describes it as above medium size.
Form
Downing describes the form as oblate, slightly conic. The Central Experimental Farm describes it as roundish.
Stem
Not described in source.
Cavity
Not described in source.
Calyx
Not described in source.
Basin
Not described in source.
Skin
Downing: yellowish ground, mostly overspread with dark rich red, with few light gray dots. Central Experimental Farm: greenish yellow ground, nearly covered with deep red.
Flesh and Flavor
The two sources conflict on texture. Downing describes the flesh as whitish-yellow, rather dry, rich, and sweet. The Central Experimental Farm describes the flesh as yellow, crisp, juicy, nearly sweet, and of good quality.
Core and Seeds
Not described in source.
Season
January and February (both sources agree).
Uses
Good for baking (Downing).
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 1 period pomological work
Nursery Catalog Sources
Found in 1 catalog (1900)
- Central Experimental Farm , Dominion Department of Agriculture, Agassiz, British Columbia (under test; Bulletin No. 3, Second Series) — 1900
View original book sources (2)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Black Jack. Received from W. C. Hampton, Ohio. Fruit medium, oblate, slightly conic, yellowish, mostly overspread with dark rich red, few light gray dots. Flesh whitish-yellow, rather dry, rich, sweet. Good for baking. January, February.
— Central Experimental Farm, Central Experimental Farm, Agassiz BC — Catalogue of Fruit Trees under Test (Bulletin No. 3, 1900) (1900)Planted Spring 1893. Tree a vigorous grower. Fruit above medium size, roundish. Skin greenish yellow, nearly covered with deep red. Flesh yellow, crisp, juicy, nearly sweet, quality good. Season January and February.