Eustis
Apple
USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection
Eustis
Origin/History
Originated in Massachusetts. Downing specifies South Reading, Mass.; Thomas places the origin in Essex County, Mass.; Elliott records it simply as a native of Massachusetts. Historically also known as "Ben" or "Ben Apple."
Tree
Moderate grower; a good bearer (per Downing).
Fruit
Size: Medium to large. Downing describes it as "rather large"; Thomas as "rather large"; Elliott as "medium to large"; Lowther as "medium."
Form: Roundish oblate, slightly conic (Downing); roundish, slightly flattened (Elliott); roundish, very slightly ovate (Thomas); roundish oblate (Lowther).
Stem/Stalk: Medium length, inserted in a deep cavity surrounded by russet (Downing). Elliott describes the stem as slender and inclined to one side. Thomas describes the stalk as very short.
Cavity: Deep; Downing notes it is surrounded by russet; Elliott describes it as deep and open.
Calyx: Partially open (Downing); closed (Elliott).
Basin: Narrow, rather deep (Downing, Thomas); open (Elliott).
Skin/Color: Yellow, striped and shaded with fine red, and sprinkled with greenish dots (Downing). Red and yellow striped or splashed (Elliott). Striped and dotted with light rich red on rich yellow (Thomas). Striped or splashed red (Lowther).
Flesh/Flavor: Yellowish; firm, crisp, mild subacid, very good (Downing); yellowish, crisp, tender, aromatic, sub-acid (Elliott); yellowish, rich, sub-acid, fine (Thomas). Quality rated very good (Lowther, Downing).
Core/Seeds: Core small; seeds ovate angular (Elliott).
Season
Winter. November to January (Downing); December to January (Elliott).
Uses
Family use (Lowther).
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 4 period pomological works
View original book sources (4)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Eustis.
Ben Apple.
Origin, South Reading, Mass. Moderate grower, a good bearer. Fruit rather large, roundish oblate, slightly conic, yellow, striped and shaded with fine red, and sprinkled with greenish dots. Stalk medium, inserted in a deep cavity, surrounded by russet. Calyx partially open. Basin narrow, rather deep. Flesh yellowish, firm, crisp, mild subacid. Very good. November to January.
— Granville Lowther (ed.), Encyclopedia of Practical Horticulture (1914)Eustis. Size: medium. Form: roundish oblate. Color: striped or splashed (red). Quality: very good. Use: family. Season: winter.
— F.R. Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865)EUSTIS. Ben. Native, Mass. Fruit, medium to large, roundish, slightly flattened; red and yellow striped or splashed; stem, slender, inclined to one side; cavity, deep, open; calyx, closed; basin, open; core small; seeds, ovate angular; flesh, yellowish, crisp, tender, aromatic, sub-acid. December to January.
— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)Eustis. (Ben.) Rather large, roundish, very slightly ovate; striped and dotted with light rich red on rich yellow; stalk very short; basin narrow, rather deep; flesh yellowish, rich, sub-acid, fine. Origin, Essex County, Mass.