Gilbert

Origin/History

Gilbert originated in Tennessee. It closely resembles Paragon, described by Budd & Hansen as its "twin-brother," and both are considered seedlings of Winesap. Gilbert is by some regarded as superior to Paragon in size, color, and productiveness. Budd & Hansen cite the U.S. Agricultural Report of 1895 as their source. Stark Bros. (1910) notes the Tennessee origin and describes it as similar to Stayman; their catalog entry is incomplete beyond that point.

A distinct variety called the Gilbert of Minnesota exists and is very different from the Tennessee Gilbert described here.

Tree

Not described in source.

Fruit

Size and Form: Large, roundish oblate, unequal.

Skin: Thick, tough; surface smooth. Ground color yellow, washed with dark red over most of the surface and indistinctly striped.

Dots: Variable; light russet and brown.

Stem: Short, moderately stout.

Cavity: Large, regular, deep, gradual, slightly lipped, lined with gilded russet.

Calyx: Large, open; segments short, wide, converging.

Basin: Large, regular, deep, abrupt, slightly furrowed.

Core: Large, conical, clasping, nearly closed.

Seeds: Few, large, angular, brown.

Flesh and Flavor: Greenish yellow, moderately coarse, crisp, juicy, subacid. Quality rated very good.

Season

Late winter.

Uses

Not described in source.

Subtypes/Variants

The Gilbert of Minnesota is explicitly identified as a distinct and very different variety; see that entry separately.

Other

The Stark Bros. (1910) catalog entry is fragmentary as received: "We obtained it from...Worth of..." — the provenance detail is truncated and cannot be recovered from the available text.