Edgar Red Streak

Origin/History

Originated in the orchard of Joseph Curtis, Paris, Edgar County, Illinois. For many years this apple was grown in the West and Northwest under the name Walbridge, its true name having been unknown until the identification was made. The variety is described in Downing's The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900 edition).

Tree

Very hardy and vigorous. Upright in habit when young, spreading with age and under the weight of fruit. Very productive in alternate years, with a light crop in the intervening years. Not considered of the best quality, but valued for its hardiness, productiveness, and late-keeping character in a cold climate.

Fruit

Size and Form: Downing describes the fruit as medium in size. Lowther's Encyclopedia of Practical Horticulture (1914) describes the size as large — these two sources are in conflict on this point. Both sources agree the form is roundish oblate. Downing further specifies very slightly conic and regular in outline.

Stem: Rather short and small.

Cavity: Medium depth, sometimes showing slight russet.

Calyx: Small, closed.

Basin: Small, slightly plaited.

Skin: Pale whitish yellow when fully mature, shaded with pale red on the sun-exposed side, with narrow stripes and a few splashes of bright red over most of the surface where fully exposed. Lowther characterizes the color as striped or splashed red.

Flesh and Flavor: White, fine, crisp, tender, and juicy, with a mild subacid flavor.

Core and Seeds: Core small or medium.

Season

January through May (Downing). Lowther classifies it as a winter apple.

Uses

Family use (Lowther). Valued particularly for its late-keeping character in a cold climate.

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in source.

Other

Not described in source.