Fay's Russet
AppleFay's Russet
Origin / History
Originated at Bennington, Vermont, on the farm of Mr. Fay.
Tree
Moderate grower; productive, "very productive" according to Downing.
Fruit
Size: Small to rather below medium size.
Form: Conical to oblate conic.
Stem: Short; small (Downing).
Cavity: Moderate, acute (Downing).
Calyx: Partially closed (Downing). Segments long.
Basin: Furrowed; shallow and somewhat furrowed (Downing).
Skin: Light yellow, mostly covered with russet; a crimson cheek obscurely striped (Downing). Faintly striped with red (Elliott).
Dots: Not described in source.
Flesh and flavor: Flesh white, tender; sprightly, pleasantly subacid. Downing rates the quality "Very good."
Core and seeds: Core small (Downing). Seeds not described.
Season
March into June. Elliott gives March to April; Downing gives "April, June."
Uses
Not described in source.
Subtypes / Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
View original book sources (2)
— F.R. Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865)Fay's Russet. From Vermont. Tree, moderate grower, productive. Fruit, small, conical, light yellow russet, faintly striped with red : stem, short ; calyx, with long segments; basin, furrowed; flesh, white, tender, sub-acid. March to April.
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Fay's Russet. Origin, Bennington, Vt., on the farm of Mr. Fay. Tree moderate grower and very productive. Fruit rather below medium size, oblate conic. Color light yellow, mostly covered with russet, having a crimson cheek obscurely striped. Stalk short and small, inserted in a moderate acute cavity. Calyx partially closed. Segments long, in a shallow somewhat furrowed basin. Flesh white, tender, sprightly, pleasantly subacid. Very good. April, June. Core small.