Overman's Sweet
AppleOverman's Sweet
Origin/History
Originated in Illinois; Elliott (1865) specifies Fulton County, Ill.
Tree
Hardy, spreading, and productive. (Downing.)
Fruit
Size and Form: Medium in size. Downing describes the shape as roundish oblate conical; Elliott describes it as conical.
Stem: Short. (Downing.)
Cavity: Narrow and deep. (Elliott.)
Calyx: Closed. (Both sources agree.)
Basin: Obscure. (Elliott.)
Skin: Downing describes the ground color as yellowish, shaded, mottled, and splashed with red, with many light and gray dots. Elliott describes it as pale yellow, striped with red.
Flesh and Flavor: White or whitish, sweet. Both sources agree on the sweet character and white flesh. The sources differ on texture and juiciness: Downing describes the flesh as not very tender and moderately juicy, with a mild, sweet flavor; Elliott describes it as firm, crisp, and juicy, with a sweet flavor rated "very good."
Core: Small. (Downing.)
Season
October through November (Elliott); November through March (Downing). Elliott's earlier start and Downing's later end suggest the variety ripens in October–November and keeps through March under storage conditions.
Uses
A dessert and baking apple. Elliott notes it as suitable for baking. Downing rates it Good; Elliott rates it "very good."
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)Overman's Sweet.
Origin, Illinois. Tree hardy, spreading, productive.
Fruit medium, roundish oblate conical, yellowish, shaded, mottled, and splashed with red, many light and gray dots. Stalk short. Calyx closed. Flesh whitish, not very tender, moderately juicy, mild, sweet. Core small. Good. November, March.
— F.R. Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865)Overman's Sweet. From Fulton Co., Ill. Fruit, medium, conical ; pale yellow, striped with red ; cavity, narrow, deep ; calyx, closed ; basin, obscure ; flesh, white, firm, crisp, juicy, sweet ; "very good ;" baking. October and November.