Leicester Sweet

Apple

Leicester Sweet

Origin/History

Originated in Leicester, Massachusetts. Elliott's description cites Cole as the source of the variety's record.

Tree

Vigorous; not very productive.

Fruit

Size: Rather large.

Form: Flattish (Downing; Elliott); oblate (Thomas).

Stem: Not described in source.

Cavity: Not described in source.

Calyx: Not described in source.

Basin: Not described in source.

Skin: Greenish yellow and dull red.

Flesh/Flavor: Tender, rich, excellent.

Core/Seeds: Not described in source.

Season

Winter.

Uses

Fine for dessert or baking.

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in source.

Other

Not described in source.

Sources agree on all details. Thomas uses the more precise pomological term "oblate" where Downing and Elliott use "flattish"; both descriptions are consistent. Elliott (1865) attributes the variety record to Cole.

Book Sources

Described in 3 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 (3)

Leicester Sweet. Potter Sweet. Origin, Leicester, Mass. Tree vigorous, not very productive. Fruit rather large, flattish, greenish yellow and dull red. Flesh tender, rich, excellent, fine for dessert or baking. Winter.

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

Leicester Sweet. Potter Sweet. Rather large, flattish, greenish yellow and dull red; tender, rich, excellent, fine for dessert or baking. Winter. Tree, vigorous, not very productive. Origin, Leicester, Mass. (Cole.)

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

Leicester Sweet. (Potter Sweet.) Rather large, oblate; greenish yellow and dull red; tender, rich, excellent. fine for dessert or baking. Winter. Tree vigorous, not very productive. Origin, Leicester, Mass.

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

Potter Sweet