Hector

Apple

Hector

Origin/History

A seedling originating from Chester County, Pennsylvania.

Tree

Not described in source.

Fruit

Size: Large.

Form: Downing describes the form as roundish, conical. Elliott and Thomas describe it as oblong conical (oblong conic). These two accounts conflict; the preponderance of sources favors oblong conical.

Stem: Slender (Elliott).

Cavity: Deep, open, russeted (Elliott).

Calyx: Not described in source.

Basin: Narrow, deep, furrowed (Elliott).

Skin: Striped and mottled with red on a yellow ground (Downing, Elliott).

Flesh/Flavor: Downing describes the flesh as yellowish, breaking, subacid, and pleasant. Elliott describes it as crisp with a fine texture, rated "very good." Thomas similarly rates it pleasant, very good.

Core/Seeds: Not described in source.

Season

December to March (Downing). Winter (Thomas).

Uses

Not described in source.

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in source.

Other

Quality rating: Downing rates the variety "Good"; Elliott (citing W. D. B.) and Thomas rate it "very good." These assessments conflict.

Book Sources

Described in 3 period pomological works

View original book sources (3)

Hector.

A seedling of Chester Co., Pa.

Fruit large, roundish, conical, striped and mottled with red on a yellow ground. Flesh yellowish, breaking, subacid, pleasant. Good. December to March.

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

Hector.

From Chester County, Pa. Large, oblong conical, striped and mottled with red on a yellow ground : stem, slender ; deep, open russeted cavity ; basin, narrow, deep, furrowed ; flesh, crisp ; texture, fine ; "very good." (W. D. B.)

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

Hector. Large, oblong conic, striped; pleasant, very good. Winter. Pa.

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