Bullet
AppleBullet
Origin/History
An old American variety of unknown origin. Elliott (1865) lists it as American. Downing (1900) describes it as "an old variety, origin unknown."
Tree
Not described in source.
Fruit
Size: Medium.
Form: Oblong. Downing specifies oblong truncated.
Stem: Not described in source.
Cavity: Not described in source.
Calyx: Not described in source.
Basin: Not described in source.
Skin: Bright red on yellow (Elliott); bright red and yellow (Downing).
Flesh/Flavor: Light yellow. Elliott rates the flesh inferior. Downing describes the flavor as subacid and rates quality Good — a direct conflict between the two sources on eating quality.
Core/Seeds: Not described in source.
Season
January to June. Both sources agree on this range, making Bullet a notably long-keeping late-winter to early-summer apple.
Uses
Valued primarily as a long keeper. Downing notes it is "valuable only as a long keeper."
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Downing spells the variety name "Bullett." Both sources list the same synonyms — Bartlett and Priestly (of some) — in agreement.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
Nursery Catalog Sources
Found in 2 catalogs (1901–1913) from Illinois
- Benjamin Buckman (personal inventory) , Farmingdale , Illinois — 1901
- Benjamin Buckman (personal inventory) , Farmingdale , Illinois — 1913
View original book sources (2)
— F.R. Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865)Bullet. Bartlett, | Priestly, of some. American. Medium, oblong, bright red on yellow; flesh, light yellow, inferior; January to June.
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Bullett.
Bartlett. Priestly of some.
An old variety, origin unknown. Fruit medium, oblong truncated, bright red and yellow. Flesh light yellow, subacid. Good. Valuable only as a long keeper. January to June.