Monsees
Apple
USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection
Monsees
Origin / History
The Monsees was originated by J. H. Monsees of Beaman, Mo. It was first named Hope well, but this name was already occupied by a variety from Pennsylvania. The Monsees is of recent introduction and is a handsome fruit.
Tree
Not described in source.
Fruit
Size: Large to very large.
Form: Roundish, conical.
Stem: Short.
Cavity: Deep, acute, russeted, the rays often extending out over base.
Calyx: Open; segments short, erect convergent. Tube funnel-shaped. Stamens median.
Basin: Shallow, ribbed and corrugated, sometimes very shallow.
Skin: Rich yellow, almost or wholly covered with fine dark red with crimson stripes and splashes.
Dots: Distinct, few, minute, russet.
Flesh and flavor: White. Pleasant subacid, good.
Core and seeds: Core closed; cells round, slit. Seeds plump.
Season
Winter.
Uses
Not described in source.
Subtypes / Variants
Not described in source.
Other
The fruit is intermediate in appearance between Ben Davis and Winesap.
Book Sources
Described in 1 period pomological work
USDA Nomenclature (1905)
From W.H. Ragan, Nomenclature of the Apple, USDA Bulletin No. 56
Name changed from Hopewell.
Nursery Catalog Sources
Found in 1 catalog (1913) from Illinois
- Benjamin Buckman (personal inventory) , Farmingdale , Illinois — 1913
View original book sources (1)
— J.L. Budd & N.E. Hansen, American Horticultural Manual, Part II: Systematic Pomology (1914)Monsees. — Originated by J. H. Monsees, Beaman, Mo. At first named Hope well, but this name is already occupied by a variety from Pennsylvania. The Monsees is of recent introduction and is a handsome fruit, intermediate in appearance between Ben Davis and Winesap.
Fruit large to very large, roundish, conical ; surface a rich yellow, almost or wholly covered with fine dark red with crimson stripes and splashes; dots distinct, few, minute, russet; cavity deep, acute, russeted, the rays often extending out over base; stem short; basin shallow, ribbed and corrugated, sometimes very shallow; calyx open; segments short, erect convergent. Core closed; cells round, slit; tube funnel-shaped; stamens median; seeds plump; flesh white, pleasant subacid, good. Season, winter.