Corlies Sweet
Apple
Corlies Sweet
Origin/History
Originated on the farm of A. Corlies, Shrewsbury, New Jersey (Downing). Coxe describes it as having been brought from East Jersey, placing it among the earliest documented New Jersey varieties, noted in 1817.
Tree
Vigorous grower with a round head and singularly deep green foliage (Coxe). Great bearer (all sources).
Fruit
Size: Coxe describes the fruit as large; Downing and Thomas give it as medium.
Form: Rather long in shape (Coxe). Downing describes it as roundish, conical — a slight discrepancy with Coxe's elongated characterization.
Skin: Smooth (Coxe). Color bright yellow (Coxe); whitish yellow (Downing); light yellow (Thomas). Coxe notes a faint blush; Downing describes a bright blush in sunshine. A few small grey specks (Coxe).
Stem: Short, of middling thickness (Coxe).
Cavity: Not described in source.
Calyx: Not described in source.
Basin: Not described in source.
Flesh/Flavor: White (Coxe, Downing). Coarsely grained (Coxe). Firm (Downing, Thomas). Moderately juicy (Downing). Sweet (all sources); Downing specifies pleasant sweet.
Core/Seeds: Not described in source.
Season
Ripens September and October (Coxe); September to November (Downing); October (Thomas).
Uses
Highly esteemed for cider, for which it will keep beyond its fresh-eating season (Coxe). Fine for cooking (Downing).
Quality
Downing rates it "Hardly good" as a dessert apple; Thomas rates it "Good" — these assessments conflict.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 3 period pomological works
- Coxe, A View of the Cultivation of Fruit Trees (1817) — listed as Corlies' Sweet
- Downing, Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900) — listed as Corlie's Sweet
- Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903) — listed as Corlies' Sweet
View original book sources (3)
— William Coxe, A View of the Cultivation of Fruit Trees (1817)NO. 16. CORLIES' SWEET.
This is a large fair apple, rather long in shape; of a bright yellow colour, smooth skin, a faint blush, and a few small grey specks; the stalk is short and of a middling thickness; the flesh is coarsely grained, white and sweet—it ripens in September and October, but will keep later for cider, for which it is highly esteemed: the tree grows vigorously, with a singularly deep green foliage and round head; it is a great bearer; it was brought from East-Jersey.
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Corlie's Sweet.
Origin on the farm of A. Corlies, Shrewsbury, New Jersey. Tree rigorous, round-headed, great bearer.
Fruit medium, roundish, conical, whitish yellow, bright blush in sunshine. Flesh white, firm, moderately juicy, pleasant sweet, fine for cooking. Hardly good. September, November.
— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)Corlies' Sweet. Medium, light yellow; firm, sweet. Good. Great bearer. October.