Holston Sweet
AppleHolston Sweet
Origin/History
Origin unknown. Introduced to pomological literature by John A. Warder, who received the variety from his brother, J. T. Warder, of Springfield, Ohio. Downing (1900) likewise gives the origin as unknown, citing Warder as his authority.
Tree
Not described in source.
Fruit
Size and Form: Medium to large, round, regular in outline.
Skin: Smooth; greenish-yellow, bronzy. Dots scattered.
Stem: Long to medium.
Cavity: Shallow, wide.
Calyx: Eye small, closed.
Basin: Regular, small.
Flesh and Flavor: Whitish-yellow. Warder describes the grain as very fine; Downing (summarizing Warder) gives it simply as fine-grained. Tender, juicy. Flavor very sweet, aromatic, rich. Quality: best.
Core and Seeds: Core small, oval, regular, closed, clasping. Seeds short, plump, brown.
Season
December to February.
Uses
Table; baking.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Warder considered it one of the best sweet table apples, rating it above Higby Sweet.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
View original book sources (2)
— John A. Warder, American Pomology: Apples (1867)Holston Sweet.
Origin unknown. Not identified as any other variety; received from my brother, J. T. Warder, Springfield, Ohio
Fruit medium to large, round, regular; Surface smooth, greenish-yellow, bronzy; Dots scattered.
Basin regular, small; Eye small, closed.
Cavity shallow, wide; Stem long to medium.
Core small, oval, regular, closed, clasping; Seeds short, plump, brown; Flesh whitish-yellow, very fine-grained, tender, juicy; Flavor very sweet, aromatic, rich; Quality best; Use, table, baking; Season, December to February.
One of the best sweet table apples—better than Higby Sweet.
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Holsten Sweet.
Origin unknown.
Fruit medium to large, round, greenish yellow, bronzy. Flesh whitish yellow, fine-grained, tender, juicy, very sweet, aromatic, rich. December, February. (Warder.)