Eureka
Apple
USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection
Eureka
Origin / History
Two distinct apples bear this name. The Eureka described by Downing is of somewhat uncertain origin, supposed to be from Cheshire, Conn.; esteemed in its locality. The Eureka described by Hansen (1902) originated in Wisconsin, from seed of Tolman Sweet. Hansen states that it "is distinct from the Eureka described by Downing which is a fall apple of supposed Connecticut origin." Budd and Hansen (1914) copy Hansen's account and call Downing's a "fall variety of supposed Connecticut origin."
Tree
Downing's Eureka: tree thrifty, upright, branches rather slender, forming a handsome round head; an early and prolific bearer on alternate years.
Fruit
Size: Medium (Downing's Eureka). Large (Hansen's Eureka).
Form: Roundish oblate, slightly conical (Downing). Roundish oblate, regular (Hansen).
Stem: Short in both; small (Downing).
Cavity: Small (Downing). Acuminate, regular, slightly russeted (Hansen).
Calyx: Closed (Downing).
Basin: Small, corrugated (Downing). Abrupt, deep, nearly smooth (Hansen).
Skin: Whitish, shaded, striped, and splashed with pale and dark red (Downing). Surface roughened by russet dots and leather-cracking, light yellow, handsomely striped with bright crimson, especially on the sunny side (Hansen).
Dots: Russet dots roughen the surface (Hansen).
Flesh and flavor: Flesh white in both. Downing's Eureka: fine, tender, juicy, mild subacid, "of very good flavor." Hansen's Eureka: fine grained, moderately juicy, sweet, very good.
Core and seeds: Core medium (Downing). Core closed; seeds few, flattened (Hansen).
Season
Downing's Eureka: September, October. Hansen's Eureka: a long winter keeper.
Uses
Market or home use (Downing's Eureka).
Subtypes / Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 3 period pomological works
USDA Nomenclature (1905)
From W.H. Ragan, Nomenclature of the Apple, USDA Bulletin No. 56
Distinct from Eureka of Downing. A Tolman seedling.
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 (3)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Eureka.
Origin somewhat uncertain, but supposed to be Cheshire, Conn. Tree thrifty, upright, rather slender branches, forming a handsome round head; an early and prolific bearer on alternate years, and esteemed in its locality for market or home use.
Fruit medium, roundish oblate, slightly conical; skin whitish, shaded, striped, and splashed with pale and dark red; stalk short, small; cavity small; calyx closed; basin small, corrugated; flesh white, fine, tender, juicy, mild subacid, and of very good flavor; core medium. September, October.
— N.E. Hansen, A Study of Northwestern Apples (1902)Eureka—Originated in Wisconsin, from seed of Tolman Sweet. This is distinct from the Eureka described by Downing which is a fall apple of supposed Connecticut origin—Fruit large, roundish oblate, regular; surface roughened by russet dots and leather-cracking, light yellow, handsomely striped with bright crimson, especially on sunny side; cavity acuminate, regular, slightly russeted; stem short; basin abrupt, deep, nearly smooth. Core closed; seeds few, flattened; flesh white, fine grained, moderately juicy, sweet, very good. A long winter keeper.
— J.L. Budd & N.E. Hansen, American Horticultural Manual, Part II: Systematic Pomology (1914)Eureka. — Originated in Wisconsin, from seed of Tolman Sweet. This is distinct from the Eureka described by Downing, which is a fall variety of supposed Connecticut origin.
Fruit large, roundish oblate, regular; surface roughened by russet dots and leather-cracking, light yellow, handsomely striped with bright crimson, especially on sunny side; cavity acuminate, regular, slightly russeted; stem short; basin abrupt, deep, nearly smooth. Core closed; seeds few, flattened; flesh white, fine grained, moderately juicy, sweet, very good. A long winter keeper.