Brier
Apple
USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection
Brier
Origin/History
Brier originated with B. B. Brier of Baraboo, Wisconsin. It is the result of a cross between the Siberian Crab and the Bailey apple. Thomas also lists it as a Wisconsin variety. A specimen of Brier Sweet was held by the U.S. Horticultural Field Station, Cheyenne, Wyoming (Station No. A31300), received from Cresco Nursery, Cresco, Iowa; the station's records confirm the parentage as Siberian Crab × Bailey (Fisher).
Tree
Perfectly hardy, vigorous, and productive (Downing).
Fruit
Size: As large as the Transcendent (Downing). Thomas describes it as medium large.
Form: Shaped like the Bailey Sweet (Downing); round (Thomas).
Stem: Not described in source.
Cavity: Not described in source.
Calyx: Not described in source.
Basin: Not described in source.
Skin: Pale yellow, beautifully pencilled and splashed with carmine (Downing). Thomas describes the color more briefly as yellow and red.
Flesh/Flavor: Flesh yellowish, crisp, juicy, very sweet and rich (Downing).
Core/Seeds: Not described in source.
Season
Mid-season (Thomas).
Uses
Quality rated best for dessert or preserves (Downing). Thomas rates quality as good.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 6 period pomological works
- Budd & Hansen, Systematic Pomology (1914) — listed as Brier (Brier Sweet)
- Beach, The Apples of New York Vol. 2 (1905)
- Hedrick, Cyclopedia of Hardy Fruits (1922)
- Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)
- Downing, Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900) — listed as Brier's Sweet Crab
- Fisher, A Survey of Apple Clones in the United States (1963) — listed as Brier Sweet
Nursery Catalog Sources
Found in 2 catalogs (1894–1900) from Alabama
- The Vineland Nurseries (Kelsey & Co. , Proprietors), St. Joseph, Missouri (Office: 13th and Atchison Sts., 2 Blocks East of the Citizens St. Car Line) — 1894 — listed as Briar's Sweet
- Alabama Nursery Co. , Huntsville , Alabama — 1900 — listed as Briar's Sweet
View original book sources (3)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Brier's Sweet Crab.
Originated with B. B. Brier, of Baraboo, Wis. Is the result of a fertilization of the Siberian Crab with the Bailey apple. Tree perfectly hardy, vigorous and productive.
Fruit as large as the Transcendent; shaped like the Bailey Sweet; color pale yellow, beautifully pencilled and splashed with carmine; flesh yellowish, crisp, juicy, very sweet and rich; quality best for dessert or preserves. (A. G. Tuttle, Manuscript.)
— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)Brier. Medium large, round, yellow and red; good. Mid-season. Wisconsin.
— H.H. Fisher (USDA ARS), A Survey of Apple Clones in the United States (1963)Brier Sweet was received from Cresco Nursery, Cresco, Iowa. The reported comments note that it is a cross of Siberian Crab × Bailey. The station number is A31300, as reported by the U.S. Horticultural Field Station, P.O. Box 1250, Cheyenne, Wyoming.