Golden Ball
AppleGolden Ball
Origin / History
The origin of Golden Ball is somewhat in doubt, but it is probably a native of Connecticut, from whence it has been largely distributed eastward (Elliott). Downing records the origin simply as Connecticut. The variety has also been known as Belle et Bonne and Connecticut Apple, though Elliott explicitly cautions that the Belle Bonne of Lindley is quite another fruit and should not be confounded with this one.
Tree
The tree is hardy, forming a large round head with large, glossy, rich green foliage (Elliott). It is a vigorous grower (Downing) but only a moderate bearer. Elliott notes that the trees do not bear well while young, but improve as they advance in years. The variety requires a rich, strong, heavy soil (Elliott).
Fruit
Size and Form: Fruit large; form roundish, narrowing to the eye (Elliott), and somewhat ribbed (Downing).
Skin: Rich yellow (Elliott), sometimes described as golden yellow (Downing), with a faint blush near the stalk in some specimens (Elliott). Surface marked with rough dots (Elliott); Downing notes a few dots.
Stem: Short and stout (Elliott).
Cavity: Broad (Elliott).
Calyx: Half closed (Elliott).
Basin: Shallow (Elliott).
Flesh: Yellowish, tender, sub-acid, nearly acid, and perfumed (Elliott). Downing additionally describes the flesh as crisp. Quality rated Good (Downing).
Core: Medium (Elliott).
Seeds: Large and plump (Elliott).
Season
Elliott gives October to December; Downing gives December to March. These may reflect different aspects of the same season — harvest in October, with the fruit keeping through March in storage.
Uses
Exceedingly valuable for cooking (Elliott).
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)Golden Ball.
Belle et Bonne, | Connecticut Apple.
The origin of this variety is somewhat in doubt, but it is probably a native of Connecticut, from whence it has been largely distributed East. The trees do not bear well while young, but improve as they advance in years. Tree, hardy, forming a large round head, with large, glossy, rich green foliage ; exceeding valuable for cooking ; requires a rich, strong, heavy soil.
Fruit, large ; form, roundish, narrowing to the eye ; color, rich yellow, sometimes a faint blush near the stalk, and with rough dots ; stem, short, stout ; cavity, broad ; calyx, half closed ; basin, shallow ; flesh, yellowish, tender, sub-acid, nearly acid, perfumed ; core, medium ; seeds, large and plump. October to December.
The Belle Bonne of Lindley is quite another fruit, and should not be confounded with this.
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Golden Ball.
Origin, Conn. Tree a vigorous grower, but only a moderate bearer.
Fruit large, roundish, somewhat ribbed, golden yellow, with a few dots. Flesh crisp, tender, subacid. Good. December, March.