Bracken
Apple
Bracken
Origin and History
Introduced as a seedling from Kentucky in 1812, according to Dr. Barker, one of the most intelligent fruit-growers of the period. The variety has caused considerable discussion among Western pomologists on account of its close resemblance to the Early Harvest. Elliott did not mention it in his work, but in discussions before horticultural societies he is reported as having declared it identical to Early Harvest, noting that it agrees with that variety in the peculiar growth of its twigs. However, H. N. Gillett and others familiar with the fruits of southern Ohio consider Bracken a distinct Kentucky seedling. The specimen described here was provided by H. N. Gillett.
Tree
Twigs display peculiar growth similar to Early Harvest. Not described in source beyond this.
Fruit
Form and Size: Medium, oblate, somewhat conical; irregular and angular.
Skin: Smooth, pale yellow. Dots scattered and dark.
Cavity: Wide, deep, irregular, and brown in color. Stem large and knobby.
Basin: Abrupt, medium, folded.
Eye: Small, closed.
Core: Irregular, closed, meeting the eye.
Seeds: Angular and imperfect.
Flesh: White, very tender, fine-grained.
Flavor: Mild sub-acid.
Quality: Good.
Season
June and July; earlier than Early Harvest.
Uses
Table and kitchen.
Book Sources
Described in 1 period pomological work
USDA Nomenclature (1905)
From W.H. Ragan, Nomenclature of the Apple, USDA Bulletin No. 56
Similar to Early Harvest.
View original book sources (1)
— John A. Warder, American Pomology: Apples (1867)Bracken.
This variety has caused much discussion among the Western Pomologists, on account of its resemblance to the Early Harvest. The late Dr. Barker, one of the most intelligent fruit-growers of the country, said it was introduced as a seedling from Kentucky in 1812. Elliott does not mention it in his work, but in the discussions of the Society he is reported as having declared it the same as Early Harvest, with which it agrees in peculiar growth of twigs. H. N. Gillett, and others, familiar with the fruits of southern Ohio, consider it a distinct seedling of Kentucky. The specimen described was from that gentleman.
Fruit medium, oblate, somewhat conical, irregular and angular; Surface smooth, pale yellow; Dots scattered, dark.
Basin abrupt, medium, folded; Eye small, closed.
Cavity wide, deep, irregular, brown; Stem large, knobby.
Core irregular, closed, meeting the eye; Seeds angular, imperfect; Flesh white, very tender, fine grained; Flavor mild sub-acid; Quality good; Use, table and kitchen; Season, June, July; earlier than Early Harvest.