Bullet
AppleBullet
Origin/History
Bullet is an old variety of uncertain origin. Elliott (1865) identifies it as American. Downing (1900) describes it as origin unknown in one entry, and in a second separate entry under the same name records it as a variety of Southern origin, formerly much grown in Virginia, Kentucky, and North Carolina, but by Downing's time superseded by better sorts.
Downing's work contains two distinct entries both titled "Bullett," with entirely different synonyms and conflicting physical descriptions. These appear to represent two separate varieties sharing the same name. Both entries are presented below.
Entry 1 (Bullet / Bartlett / Priestly)
This entry appears in both Elliott (1865) and Downing (1900), under the synonyms Bartlett and Priestly (of some).
Tree
Not described in source.
Fruit
Size and Form: Medium. Oblong; Downing specifies oblong truncated.
Skin: Bright red and yellow.
Flesh: Light yellow. Subacid (Downing). Elliott characterizes quality as inferior; Downing rates it Good.
Core/Seeds: Not described in source.
Stem/Cavity/Calyx/Basin: Not described in source.
Season
January to June.
Uses
Valuable only as a long keeper (Downing).
Entry 2 (Bullet / Green Abram / North Carolina Greening)
This entry appears only in Downing (1900), under the synonyms Green Abram and North Carolina Greening. It describes a Southern variety distinct from Entry 1 in form, skin color, and flesh color.
Origin/History
An old variety of Southern origin, formerly much grown in Virginia, Kentucky, and North Carolina, but now superseded by better sorts.
Tree
Hardy. A slow, rather slender grower, of a drooping habit. Productive.
Fruit
Size and Form: Medium. Oblate, oblique.
Skin: Greenish, mostly overspread with stripes and shades of red and grayish russet.
Flesh: White. Firm. Moderately juicy. Peculiar subacid. Good.
Core: Small, compact.
Stem/Cavity/Calyx/Basin: Not described in source.
Season
January to June.
Uses
Valuable only for its long keeping quality.
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.
Bullett.
Green Abram. North Carolina Greening.
An old variety of Southern origin, formerly much grown in Virginia, Kentucky, and North Carolina, but now superseded by better sorts. Tree hardy, a slow, rather slender grower, of a drooping habit, productive. Fruit medium, oblate, oblique, greenish, mostly overspread with stripes and shades of red and grayish russet. Flesh white, firm, moderately juicy, peculiar subacid. Good. Core small, compact. January to June. Valuable only for its long keeping quality.