Exquisite

Apple

Exquisite

Origin/History

Originated in Canton, Illinois. Elliott (1865) attributes the variety to C. R. Overman of Canton, Ill., who named and introduced it. Downing (1900) places the origin in the orchard of A. G. Downing, Canton, Ill. Both agree on the Canton, Illinois provenance.

Tree

Growth moderate and upright. Productive. Elliott additionally notes the tree is hardy.

Fruit

Size and Form: Downing and Thomas describe the fruit as below medium in size, oblate in form. Elliott describes it as medium, roundish flattened — in substantial agreement on form, with a slight disagreement on size.

Stem: Short and small. The base of the stem is surrounded by russet (Downing) / russet at base (Elliott).

Cavity: Broad and deep.

Calyx: Small, partially closed.

Basin: Downing describes it as shallow; Elliott describes it as small.

Skin: Yellow, striped and marked with red (Downing); yellow, striped and marbled with red (Elliott).

Flesh/Flavor: White, juicy, melting. Elliott adds fine grained and tender. Flavor rich and vinous, almost saccharine (Downing) / almost sweet (Elliott). Thomas describes it as juicy, rich, and pleasant. Downing rates it Good to very good, and calls it "a delightful apple for the table."

Core/Seeds: Not described in source.

Season

September to November.

Uses

Dessert/table apple.

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in source.

Other

Elliott (1865), writing at an earlier date, notes the variety "promises to be valuable."

Book Sources

Described in 3 period pomological works

View original book sources (3)

Exquisite.

Origin, orchard of A. G. Downing, Canton, Ill. Growth moderate, upright, and very productive.

Fruit below medium, oblate. Skin yellow, striped and marked with red. Stem short and small, surrounded by russet, in a deep, broad cavity. Calyx small, partially closed, set in a shallow basin. Flesh white, juicy, melting, with a very rich, vinous flavor, almost saccharine. Good to very good. A delightful apple for the table. September to November.

— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)

Exquisite.

Named and introduced by C. R. Overman, of Canton, Ill. Tree, moderate, upright grower, productive, hardy. Fruit, medium, roundish flattened; yellow striped and marbled with red; stem, short, russet at base; cavity, broad, deep; calyx, small, partly closed; basin, small; flesh, white, juicy, melting, fine grained, tender, rich, vinous, almost sweet; promises to be valuable. September, November.

— F.R. Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865)

Exquisite. Below medium, oblate, striped; juicy, rich, pleasant. Autumn. Ill.

— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)

Exquise