Holmes's Sweet

Apple

Holmes's Sweet

Origin/History

Holmes's Sweet originated in Niagara County, New York. It is first referenced in Downing (1872, p. 220). By the time of Beach's The Apples of New York (1905), the variety was noted as practically obsolete. Beach explicitly notes that Holmes's Sweet is not the same variety as the Holmes of Thacher.

Tree

Growth is vigorous and the tree is productive. Young shoots are dark reddish brown.

Fruit

Size and Form

Fruit is medium in size, roundish conical in form.

Stem

Stalk medium in length.

Cavity

Cavity deep.

Calyx

Calyx open.

Basin

Basin shallow.

Skin

Skin waxy yellow with a red cheek on the sun-exposed side.

Flesh and Flavor

Flesh yellow, tender, rather juicy, spicy, and sweet with a subacid element mingled in. Rated Very Good.

Core and Seeds

Not described in source.

Season

November through February.

Uses

Not described in source.

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in source.

Other

Not described in source.

Book Sources

Described in 2 period pomological works

Downing, Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)
Beach, The Apples of New York Vol. 1 (1905) — listed as HOLMES SWEET

View original book sources (2)

Holmes's Sweet. Origin, Niagara Co., N. Y. Tree vigorous, productive. Young shoots dark reddish brown. Fruit medium, roundish conical, waxy yellow, red cheek in the sun. Stalk medium. Cavity deep. Calyx open. Basin shallow. Flesh yellow, tender, rather juicy, spicy, sweet subacid. Very good. November and February.

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

HOLMES SWEET.

Reference. 1. Downing, 1872:220.

Described by Downing as a medium sized yellow apple with red cheek. Flesh tender, sweet, mingled with subacid. Season November to February. Origin, Niagara county, N. Y. (1). Now practically obsolete. Not the Holmes of Thacher.

— S.A. Beach, The Apples of New York, Vol. 1 (1905)

Holmes Sweet