Mother's Favorite
AppleMother's Favorite
Origin and History
Raised by Patrick A. Smith of Kanoverton, Ohio. L.L. Smith of Brooklyn, Iowa (presumably his son) provided observations on the tree's performance. The variety is also known as Smith's Favorite and Big Tree in contemporary trade nomenclature.
Tree
Hardy and vigorous grower. Forms a large, round-headed tree. Requires very little pruning. Bears in alternate years (biennial bearing).
Fruit
Size and Form: Large to very large; roundish oblate, slightly angular.
Skin: Bright yellow, sometimes pale red in the sun; a few brown dots and many obscure light ones.
Stem: Short, small.
Cavity: Large, deep, slightly uneven.
Calyx: Small, closed.
Basin: Large, deep, slightly plaited.
Flesh: Pale yellow, half fine, rather firm, juicy, sprightly subacid, aromatic.
Quality and Core: Very good quality; one of the best for culinary uses. Core small.
Season
September.
Uses
Culinary; noted as one of the best varieties for cooking purposes.
Book Sources
Described in 1 period pomological work
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 (1)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Mother's Favorite.
Smith's Favorite. Big Tree.
A large, showy summer apple, raised by Patrick A. Smith, Kanoverton, Ohio; and his son, L. L. Smith, Brooklyn, Iowa, writes that the tree is hardy, a vigorous grower, making a large round-headed tree; requires very little pruning, and producing full crops on alternate years.
Fruit large to very large, roundish oblate, slightly angular; skin bright yellow, sometimes pale red in the sun, a few brown dots, and many obscure light ones; stalk short, small; cavity large, deep, a little uneven; calyx small, closed; basin large, deep, slightly plaited; flesh pale yellow, half fine, rather firm, juicy, sprightly subacid, aromatic; of very good quality, and one of the best for culinary uses; core small. Season September.