Buffington's Early
AppleBuffington's Early
Origin/History
Origin said to be on the Brandywine, Pennsylvania (Downing). Elliott gives the origin as unknown.
Tree
Of good upright growth (Downing). A moderate bearer (both sources agree).
Fruit
Size: Below medium, or medium to below medium (Downing; Elliott gives simply "below medium").
Form: Oblate (Downing); flattened, little ribbed (Elliott).
Stem: Short (Downing).
Cavity: Large (Downing); deep (Elliott). Slightly russeted (Downing).
Calyx: Closed (Downing).
Basin: Shallow (both sources). Slightly corrugated (Downing); furrowed (Elliott).
Skin: Yellowish white, sometimes with a faint blush (both sources agree).
Flesh/Flavor: Tender (both sources). Juicy, with a sprightly subacid flavor (Downing); delicate subacid (Elliott).
Quality: Good (Downing); "best" (Elliott).
Season
Last of July (Elliott); middle of August (Downing). The two sources disagree by approximately two to three weeks.
Uses
Not described in source.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
View original book sources (2)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Buffington's Early.
Origin said to be on the Brandywine, Pa. Tree of good upright growth, bears moderately.
Fruit medium or below, oblate, yellowish white, sometimes a faint blush. Stalk short. Cavity large, slightly russeted. Calyx closed. Basin shallow, slightly corrugated. Flesh tender, juicy, with a sprightly subacid flavor. Good. Middle of August.
— F.R. Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865)Buffington's Early.
A moderate bearer—origin unknown. Fruit, below medium, flattened, little ribbed, yellowish white, with faint blush ; cavity deep ; basin, shallow, furrowed ; flesh, tender, delicate sub-acid ; "best." Last of July.