Hicks
AppleHicks
Origin/History
Originated as a chance seedling and was brought to notice by Isaac Hicks, North Hempstead, Long Island. Downing notes it as "a new Apple, of good promise." Beach (1905) observes that it is "but little known except in certain localities on Long Island" and does not recommend it for general planting in New York State.
Tree
Upright, strong grower; an early and abundant bearer. Young shoots stout, very short-jointed, dark brown, finely downy. Buds broad, flat, prominent, especially at the ends.
Fruit
Size and Form: Medium or above (Downing); described simply as medium by Beach and Thomas. Roundish.
Stem: Rather short.
Cavity: Deep, slightly russeted.
Calyx: Closed. Segments short, often a little recurved.
Basin: Rather large and uneven.
Skin: Pale greenish yellow (Downing; Beach and Thomas describe the ground color as yellowish), somewhat striped and splashed with crimson, thinly sprinkled with light and gray dots.
Flesh/Flavor: Whitish, tender, moderately juicy, rich, sweet, slightly aromatic. All three sources concur on the sweet, rich, juicy character. Rated very good.
Core/Seeds: Core rather large.
Season
August; Beach specifies middle of August.
Uses
Not described in source.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 3 period pomological works
View original book sources (3)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Hick's. Buckram. Originated with Isaac Hicks, North Hempstead, L. I. Tree an upright, strong grower, an early and abundant bearer. Young shoots stout, very short-jointed, dark brown, fine downy. Buds broad, flat, prominent, especially at ends. Fruit medium or above, roundish, color pale greenish yellow, somewhat striped and splashed with crimson, thinly sprinkled with light and gray dots. Stalk rather short. Cavity deep, slightly russeted. Calyx closed. Segments short, often a little recurved. Basin rather large and uneven. Flesh whitish, tender, moderately juicy, rich, sweet, slightly aromatic. Core rather large. Very good. August. A new Apple, of good promise.
— S.A. Beach, The Apples of New York, Vol. 2 (1905)HICKS.
REFERENCES. 1. Hicks, Horticulturist, 21:333. 1866. fig. 2. Downing, 1869:215. 3. Burrill and McCluer, Ill. Sta. Bul., 45:308, 316, 324. 1896. 4. Thomas, 1897:639.
SYNONYMS. Buckram (2, 3). HICKS (1, 2, 3, 4).
A sweet apple of medium size, yellowish striped and splashed with crimson; season middle of August. It is but little known except in certain localities on Long Island. Not recommended for general planting in this state.
Historical. Hicks originated as a chance seedling and was brought to notice by Isaac Hicks, North Hempstead, L. I. (1, 2).
— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)Hicks. Medium, roundish, yellow, slightly striped; juicy, rich, sweet, very good. August. Long Island.