Jabez Sweet

Apple

Jabez Sweet

Origin/History

Originated on the premises of Jabez Barnes, near Middletown, Connecticut. Elliott (1865) cites Hovey's Magazine as the source of his entry.

Tree

Healthy, vigorous, and productive. (Downing)

Fruit

Size: Medium.

Form: Roundish conical (Downing); nearly round (Elliott).

Skin: Yellow, with a few dark specks (Downing). Pale green, dull red in the sun (Elliott). [Note: these two descriptions conflict on ground color — Downing's "yellow" and Elliott's "pale green with dull red blush" may reflect different stages of ripeness, different growing conditions, or independently observed specimens.]

Flesh/Flavor: White, tender, juicy, rich, sweet (Downing). Sweet (Elliott).

Stem, Cavity, Calyx, Basin, Core, Seeds: Not described in source.

Season

December to February (Downing). October to April (Elliott). [The sources conflict on season span; Elliott's broader window may reflect a longer keeping range or a different climate of observation.]

Uses

Not described in source.

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in source.

Other

Quality rated good to very good (Downing).

Book Sources

Described in 2 period pomological works

View original book sources (2)

Jabez Sweet.

Originated on the premises of Jabez Barnes, near Middletown, Conn. Tree healthy, vigorous, and productive.

Fruit medium, roundish conical, yellow, with a few dark specks. Flesh white, tender, juicy, rich, sweet. Good to very good. December, February.

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

Jabez Sweet. From Middletown, Conn. Fruit, medium, nearly round, pale green, dull red in sun, sweet. October to April. (Hov. Mag.)

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