Mountain Sweet

Origin/History

Mountain Sweet originated in Pennsylvania. It was exhibited before the Ohio Pomological Society by Joel Wood (Warder, 1867). Warder describes it as a rival of the Broadwell or Ladies' Sweeting. By the time of Beach's writing (1905), it was but little known in New York and its cultivation in that state was not being extended.

Tree

Tree medium or below in size, not a strong grower, with short, stout, curved branches. Form spreading or roundish, rather dense. Twigs short, straight, moderately stout; internodes short. Bark clear brown mingled with green, lightly streaked with scarf-skin; pubescent. Lenticels quite numerous, small, oblong, slightly raised. Buds medium size, plump, acute, free, slightly pubescent. (Beach)

Fruit

Size and Form

Warder and Downing describe the fruit as large. Beach characterizes it as variable, usually medium or above, and notes it is of fairly good appearance but moderate to good quality, not superior to other varieties of its season.

Form roundish or roundish oblate, pretty regular, somewhat angular; sides unequal (Beach). Warder describes it simply as oblate.

Stem

Short to rather long, rather slender (Beach). Warder and Downing agree it is short and slender.

Cavity

Nearly acuminate to somewhat obtuse, medium in depth, rather broad, russeted and with outspreading russet rays (Beach). Warder describes the cavity as deep, acute, and wavy.

Calyx

Small to rather large, closed or open; lobes separated at base, medium to long, rather narrow, acuminate (Beach). Warder says the eye is small and closed; Downing likewise describes the calyx as small and closed.

Basin

Moderately shallow to shallow, narrow to moderately wide, wavy (Beach). Warder describes the basin as wide and wavy — a conflict with Beach's narrower characterization.

Skin

Thick, rather tough, somewhat rough, clear pale yellow overlaid with faint pinkish blush and scattering stripes of deeper red. Dots numerous, inconspicuous, small, russet. Prevailing effect striped (Beach). Warder and Downing describe the surface as smooth, light yellow, with minute dots — with no mention of blush or striping. The presence of striping and blush is recorded by Beach only; the earlier sources describe a plain light yellow fruit.

Flesh and Flavor

White, breaking, very tender, fine-grained, juicy, sweet (all sources agree). Beach adds "moderately fine" and rates quality as good. Warder and Downing rate quality as good to very good.

Core and Seeds

Core medium size, abaxile; cells open; core lines meeting or slightly clasping. Carpels broadly ovate to elliptical, emarginate. Seeds very small, rather wide, plump, acute, rather light brown (Beach). Warder describes the core as wide, open, dark, and clasping the eye, with numerous pointed seeds — conflicting with Beach on width (wide vs. medium) and seed number (numerous vs. very small/few implied by Beach).

Internal Structure

Calyx tube medium in length, rather wide, conical to somewhat funnelform. Stamens median to basal (Beach).

Season

Warder and Downing both give December as the season. Beach extends this to September through December, indicating a longer harvest and storage window than the earlier sources suggest.

Uses

Table and baking (Warder). Beach notes the variety is of moderate to good quality and not recommended for planting in New York State.

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in source.

Other

The name Mountaineer appears in Warder as an alternate designation under the same entry, and is carried forward by Downing and Beach as a synonym. Beach's references are: Warder, 1867:388 and Downing, 1869:282.