French's Sweet
AppleFrench's Sweet
Origin / History
Originated on the farm of B. V. French, Braintree, Mass. The seedling trees were still standing in Braintree when Elliott wrote (1865), his notes on the variety being taken from B. V. French's manuscript. Thomas gives the locality as Mass.
Tree
Very productive (Downing); a "great bearer" (Elliott).
Fruit
Size: Large (Elliott); above medium (Downing).
Form: Round ovate (Elliott); roundish oblate (Downing).
Stem: Not described in source.
Cavity: Not described in source.
Calyx: Not described in source.
Basin: Not described in source.
Skin: Green, inclining to yellow when fully ripe (Elliott); greenish yellow (Thomas); yellow with a shade of brown in the sun (Downing).
Dots: Not described in source.
Flesh and flavor: Yellowish, firm, crisp, compact, moderately juicy; rich, sweet, highly perfumed. Quality "very good" (Thomas).
Core and seeds: Not described in source.
Season
October and November; keeps till January or February (Elliott). Thomas places it in late autumn.
Uses
Valued for cooking (Downing). Elliott, from B. V. French's manuscript: "Richest baking I know."
Subtypes / Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 3 period pomological works
View original book sources (3)
— F.R. Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865)French's Sweet.
The seedling trees are still standing in Braintree, Mass. Large, round ovate, green, inclining to a yellow when fully ripe, great bearer, highly perfumed ; flesh, firm. Ripe, October and November, and will keep till January or February. Richest baking I know. (B. V. French, Ms.)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)French's Sweet.
Origin, farm of B. V. French, Braintree, Mass. Tree very productive.
Fruit above medium, roundish oblate, yellow, with a shade of brown in the sun. Flesh yellowish, crisp, moderately juicy, compact, rich, sweet. Valued for cooking. October, November.
— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)French's Sweet. Large, round ovate, greenish-yellow; firm, perfumed, very good. Late autumn. Mass.