Mountain Beet
AppleOrigin and History
The Mountain Beet apple was originally raised from seed at Abbotsford, Quebec, by the grandfather of J. M. Fisk, and planted in an orchard approximately eighty-five years prior to 1902 (c. 1817). The variety received its name sometime after its initial cultivation. According to W. T. Macoun of the Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Canada, the variety had become unprofitable in the eastern townships for at least twenty-five years preceding the 1902 account, primarily due to scab susceptibility equal to or exceeding that of the Fameuse variety.
Tree
Not fully described in source.
Fruit
Size and Form
Medium; irregular and roundish; unequal; tapering to both ends; truncated; usually largest toward the apex.
Skin
Yellow, nearly covered with solid dark red with darker stripes. Dots distinct, numerous, minute, and white.
Stem and Cavity
Stem medium to long. Cavity acute, regular, and narrow.
Calyx and Basin
Calyx closed. Basin shallow, wide, and slightly corrugated.
Flesh and Flavor
White, stained red, especially adjacent to the skin. Firm; only moderately juicy. Texture quince-like, resembling the Haas variety. Flavor subacid; quality fair.
Core and Seeds
Core closed and distant; roundish ovate in form. Cells axile and ovate. Tube conical. Stamens median. Seeds few and pointed.
Season
Fall.
Uses
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 1 period pomological work
View original book sources (1)
— N.E. Hansen, A Study of Northwestern Apples (1902)Mountain Beet—Fruit medium, irregular, roundish, unequal, tapering to both ends, truncated, usually largest toward apex; surface yellow, nearly covered with solid dark red with darker stripes; dots distinct, numerous, minute, white; cavity acute, regular, narrow; stem medium to long; basin shallow, wide, slightly corrugated; calyx closed. Core closed, distant, roundish ovate; cells axile, ovate; tube conical; stamens median; seeds few, pointed; flesh white, stained red especially next to the skin, firm, only moderately juicy, quince-like texture, like Haas, subacid, fair. Fall: Trees received from Canada.
Mountain Beet—"The Mountain Beet apple originally was raised from seed at Abbotsford, Quebec, by the grandfather of Mr. J. M. Fisk, of Abbotsford, and planted in an orchard about eighty-five years ago. It received its name later on. For the last twenty-five years it has not been profitable in the eastern townships owing to the scab, to which it is subject quite as much, if not more so, as the Fameuse. This above information I received from Mr. J. M. Fisk." W. T. MACOUN, Central Exp. Farm, Ottawa, Canada.