MAIDSTONE FAVOURITE

Origin/History

MAIDSTONE FAVOURITE was raised by Messrs. George Bunyard & Co. of Maidstone, England, from a seed of Emperor Alexander. The variety was first published in the Journal of Pomology, Vol. I., No. 1. It was received by the New York Geneva station (NyG) from G. Bunyard & Co., Maidstone, England, and is recorded in the USDA ARS survey of apple clones in the United States (Fisher, 1963) under the spelling "Maidstone Favorite."

Tree

Growth is moderately vigorous and rather spreading, with very good fertility.

Leaf: Oval, upfolded, little twisted, held-out, with shallow crenate margins.

Fruit

Size and Form

Medium in size. Bunyard gives dimensions as approximately 2½ inches by 2 inches, oblate in form, curving to the eye. Fisher describes the fruit as medium-small, round-flat — consistent with Bunyard's oblate characterization, though Fisher's "medium-small" represents a slight divergence from Bunyard's "medium."

Stem

Very short and stout, set in a rather wide cavity.

Cavity

Rather wide.

Calyx

Eye closed or open.

Basin

Deep and wide, even.

Skin

Pale creamy yellow ground, covered with carmine stripes and flush (Bunyard). Fisher describes the skin as yellow with a red flush and darker streaks, consistent with Bunyard's description.

Flesh and Flavor

Creamy white, fine grained, sweet and juicy, very firm (Bunyard). Fisher concurs: white, firm, juicy. Bunyard notes the variety is "a little lacking in flavour" despite these qualities, describing it as "one of the most beautiful apples of Autumn" and "very promising for market culture," as it travels well.

Core and Seeds

Not described in source.

Season

Bunyard places the season at end of August through September, noting particular value in filling the gap between Beauty of Bath and Worcestershire Pearmain. Fisher records the season as early August — a slight discrepancy with Bunyard's end-August–September dating, possibly reflecting differences in growing location or clone selection.

Uses

Dessert. Valued for market culture on account of its attractive appearance and good travelling qualities.

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in source.

Other

Bunyard characterizes MAIDSTONE FAVOURITE as "one of the most beautiful apples of Autumn," while acknowledging it is "a little lacking in flavour but very promising for market culture." Its commercial value is noted as bridging the seasonal gap between Beauty of Bath and Worcestershire Pearmain.