Hilton

Apple

Origin & History

Originated in Columbia County, New York. By 1905, Beach reported that "so far as we can discover this variety is not now known in cultivation."

Tree

Vigorous and productive.

Fruit

Size: Large according to Downing (1900) and Thomas; "very large" according to Elliott.

Form: Roundish. Elliott describes it as "a little more square in outline than the Fall Pippin, and not so much flattened, though a good deal like it; a little narrowed next the eye."

Stem: Half an inch long, thick, deeply sunk (Elliott).

Cavity: Not described in source beyond the stem being "deeply sunk."

Calyx: Small, closed, moderately sunk in a slight plaited basin (Elliott).

Basin: Slight, plaited (Elliott).

Skin: Yellowish green (Downing, Thomas). Elliott provides fuller detail: greenish yellow or pale green, becoming pale yellow when fully ripe, washed on one side with a little dull red or pale brown, with a few scattered, large greenish dots.

Flesh & Flavor: Tender, juicy, subacid (Downing). Elliott notes the apples make "the finest tarts and pies" but that "it is not equal to the Fall Pippin for eating."

Core & Seeds: Not described in source.

Season

September to October.

Uses

Culinary. Rated "excellent for culinary purposes" by Downing and described as making "the finest tarts and pies" by Elliott, though Elliott notes it is inferior to the Fall Pippin for fresh eating. Downing rates it "Good."

Subtypes & Variants

Not described in source.

Book Sources

Described in 4 period pomological works

View original book sources (4)

Hilton.

Origin, Columbia Co., N. Y. Tree vigorous and productive. Fruit large, roundish, yellowish green. Flesh tender, juicy, subacid, excellent for culinary purposes. Good. September to October.

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

HILTON.

REFERENCES. 1. Downing, 1857:151. 2. Warder, 1867:721. 3. Thomas, 1875:502.

SYNONYMS. None.

This variety originated in Columbia county, N. Y. According to Downing (1) the tree is vigorous and productive: the fruit large, yellowish-green, subacid, excellent for culinary purposes. Season September and October. So far as we can discover this variety is not now known in cultivation.

— S.A. Beach, The Apples of New York, Vol. 2 (1905)

Hilton.

Origin, Columbia County, N. Y. Tree, vigorous and productive ; apples making the finest tarts and pies. It is not equal to the Fall Pippin for eating. Fruit, very large, roundish, a little more square in outline than the Fall Pippin, and not so much flattened, though a good deal like it ; a little narrowed next the eye ; stalk half an inch long, thick, deeply sunk; calyx, small, closed, moderately sunk in a slight plaited basin ; skin, greenish yellow or pale green, becoming pale yellow when fully ripe, washed on one side with a little dull red or pale brown, with a few scattered, large greenish dots. (Downing.)

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

Hilton. Large, roundish, yellowish-green; sub-acid—cooking. Autumn. N. Y.

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