Jewett's Best
AppleJewett's Best
Origin / History
Originating from Torybridge, Vermont, as recorded by both Elliott (1865) and Thomas (1903). Elliott recorded the name as "Jewitt's Best."
Tree
Not described in source.
Fruit
Size
Large.
Form
Elliott describes the fruit as nearly globular and irregular in outline. Thomas describes it as roundish or oblate. Both characterizations suggest a rounded form, but Thomas's inclusion of "oblate" introduces a flattened possibility not indicated by Elliott's "nearly globular."
Stem
Short (Elliott).
Cavity
Deep (Elliott).
Calyx
Closed (Elliott).
Basin
Small (Elliott).
Skin
Greenish ground, shaded with deep red (Elliott). Thomas describes the coloring simply as deep red, without mention of an underlying green ground.
Flesh / Flavor
Yellowish (Elliott; Thomas gives "yellow"), juicy, rich, sub-acid. Elliott rates the variety as almost "best" in quality.
Core / Seeds
Core medium in size (Elliott). Seeds not described in source.
Season
December to February (Elliott). Thomas characterizes the season as early winter, consistent with Elliott's range.
Uses
Not described in source.
Subtypes / Variants
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
Nursery Catalog Sources
Found in 2 catalogs (1901–1913) from Illinois
- Benjamin Buckman (personal inventory) , Farmingdale , Illinois — 1901
- Benjamin Buckman (personal inventory) , Farmingdale , Illinois — 1913
View original book sources (2)
— F.R. Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865)Jewitt's Best. From Torybridge, Vt. Fruit, large, nearly globular, irregular, greenish, shaded with deep red ; stem, short ; cavity, deep ; calyx, closed ; basin, small ; core, medium ; flesh, yellowish, juicy, rich, sub-acid ; almost "best." December to February.
[Additional entry in this volume: "Jewitt's Best", pp. 91–91]
Jewitt's Best. From Torybridge, Vt. Fruit, large, nearly globular, irregular, greenish, shaded with deep red ; stem, short ; cavity, deep ; calyx, closed ; basin, small ; core, medium ; flesh, yellowish, juicy, rich, sub-acid ; almost "best." December to February.
— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)Jewett's Best. Large, roundish or oblate, deep red, flesh yellow, juicy, rich, sub-acid. Early winter. Vt.