Priest's Sweet
ApplePriest's Sweet
Origin / History
Originated at Leominster, Massachusetts (Downing). Thomas also gives Massachusetts. Downing lists it also under the names Blue Sweet and Molasses Sweet.
Tree
Tree vigorous and very productive (Downing).
Fruit
Size: Medium.
Form: Globular inclining to conic, or roundish conic; Thomas's Blue Sweet entry gives roundish, slightly conical.
Stem: Short.
Cavity: Rather deep (Downing).
Calyx: Closed (Downing).
Basin: Small (Downing).
Skin: Yellow, chiefly covered with dull red stripes.
Dots: Numerous, red (Downing).
Flesh and flavor: Flesh white, fine, tender, and pleasant, not very juicy. Quality "Good" (Downing).
Core and seeds: Not described in source.
Season
January to May; a late keeper (Downing). Thomas calls it a "good keeper", and in his Blue Sweet entry "a long keeper".
Uses
Not described in source.
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)Priest's Sweet. Blue Sweet. Molasses Sweet Origin, Leominster, Mass. Tree vigorous and very productive. Fruit medium, globular inclining to conic, yellow, chiefly covered with dull red stripes and numerous red dots. Stalk short, set in a rather deep cavity. Calyx closed. Basin small. Flesh white, fine, tender, and pleasant, not very juicy, a late keeper. Good. January to May.
— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)Priest's Sweet. Medium, roundish conic, striped dull red; tender, pleasant. Good keeper. Mass.
[Additional entry in this volume: "Blue Sweet", pp. 718–718]
Blue Sweet. Medium, roundish, slightly conical, striped dull red; flesh white, fine, not juicy. A long keeper. Mass.