Dawes
AppleDawes Apple
Origin/History
An old variety, originated on the farm of Francis H. Dawes, of Cummington, Massachusetts, where it was much cultivated and considered by some superior to the Porter. Known in some sources under the alternate names Dawes Porter and Dawes Nonsuch.
Tree
Hardy and a vigorous grower, making a large, round head. Not an early bearer, but when fruiting, bears profusely on alternate years.
Fruit
Size and Form: Medium, roundish oblate conical.
Stem: Rather short, slender.
Cavity: Medium, with slight russet.
Calyx: Small, closed.
Basin: Small, slightly corrugated.
Skin: Light yellow, with a shade of light purplish red, and sometimes a few rather obscure splashes; a few scattering gray dots.
Flesh and Flavor: Whitish yellow (Downing) or light yellow (Thomas); half fine, half tender; juicy; sprightly subacid; of very good quality. Thomas similarly characterizes it as tender, sub-acid, and very good.
Core: Medium.
Season
October–November.
Uses
Not described in source.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
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)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)DAWES.
Dawes Porter. Dawes Nonsuch.
The Dawes apple is an old variety, originated on the farm of Francis H. Dawes, of Cummington, Mass., where it is much cultivated, and is considered by some superior to the Porter. Tree hardy, a vigorous grower, making a large round head: not an early bearer, but, when fruiting, bears profusely on alternate years.
Fruit medium, roundish oblate conical; skin light yellow, a shade of light purplish red, and sometimes a few rather obscure splashes and a few scattering gray dots; stalk rather short, slender; cavity medium, slight russet; calyx small, closed; basin small, slightly corrugated; flesh whitish yellow, half fine, half tender, juicy, sprightly subacid, and of very good quality; core medium. October, November.
— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)Dawes. Medium, light yellow, tender, sub-acid, very good. Autumn. Vigorous and hardy, and productive alternate years. Mass.