Pratt's Sweet

Origin/History

Pratt's Sweet originated on the farm of Daniel Pratt, Richland, Oswego County, New York. It was first brought to notice in New York in 1869, when it appeared in Downing's reference (cited by Beach as Downing, 1869:312). It appears to have been essentially a local variety; Beach (1905) notes that it was not then known among New York fruit growers at large, nor was any record found of its having been grown outside the locality of its origin.

Humrickhouse, in a list of new American seedling apples published in 1853, mentions a fall variety under the name of Pratt. Beach notes that since Pratt's Sweet appears to have been but a local variety, since it was not brought to notice in New York until 1869, and since its season is given as December to March, it would seem to be distinct from the Pratt of Humrickhouse. Ragan at first listed them as identical but later considered them as "possibly identical."

Tree

The tree is vigorous, with an open spreading head. It is an annual bearer and productive. Young shoots are dark reddish brown.

Fruit

Size and Form

Fruit large, roundish conical, with broad yet slight ribs.

Stem

Stalk rather short and slender.

Cavity

Cavity deep, broad, and open.

Calyx

Calyx closed.

Basin

Basin abrupt, moderately deep, round, and slightly corrugated.

Skin

Color a rich pale yellow ground, marbled, striped, and shaded over two-thirds of the surface with two shades of clear bright pinkish red, and dotted with inconspicuous light dots.

Flesh and Flavor

Flesh yellowish white, crisp, breaking, tender, rather fine-grained and juicy, mild, pleasant, rich, sweet. Quality rated Very Good.

Core and Seeds

Core medium.

Season

December to March.

Uses

Not described in source.

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in source.

Other

Beach (1905) notes that at the time of writing, the variety had not been examined firsthand: "We have not seen this variety." The description in Beach is therefore drawn entirely from Downing's earlier account.