McDowell's Sweet
AppleMcDowell's Sweet
Origin/History
Originated in North Carolina.
Tree
Not described in source.
Fruit
Size and Form: Medium or above (Downing); medium (Thomas). Roundish oblate. Both sources agree on this form.
Stem: Short.
Cavity: Not described in source.
Calyx: Small, closed.
Basin: Narrow, corrugated.
Skin: Fine yellow ground, mostly overspread, shaded, and splashed with light and dark red, becoming almost purplish in the sun. Thomas describes the surface as striped, consistent with Downing's splashing of light and dark red.
Flesh/Flavor: Flesh whitish, tender, juicy, mild, refreshing, and sweet. Quality rated good to very good (Downing); very good (Thomas).
Core/Seeds: Not described in source.
Season
October through December (Downing). Thomas gives autumn, which partially overlaps; Downing's range extends into early winter.
Uses
Not described in source.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
View original book sources (2)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)McDowell's Sweet.
Origin, North Carolina.
Fruit medium or above, roundish oblate, fine yellow, mostly overspread, shaded, and splashed with light and dark red, almost purplish in the sun. Stalk short. Calyx small, closed. Basin narrow, corrugated. Flesh whitish, tender, juicy, mild, refreshing, sweet. Good to very good. October, December.
— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)McDowell's Sweet. Medium, roundish-oblate, striped; sweet, very good. Autumn. N.C.