Priest's Sweet

Origin/History

Originating from Leominster, Massachusetts, as recorded by both Downing and Thomas. Downing lists Blue Sweet and Molasses Sweet as synonyms. Thomas treats Blue Sweet as a separate entry, though Downing's synonymy places it with Priest's Sweet.

Tree

Vigorous and very productive, according to Downing. Not described in Thomas.

Fruit

Size

Medium, agreed upon by both sources.

Form

Globular inclining to conic (Downing); roundish conic (Thomas, Priest's Sweet entry); roundish, slightly conical (Thomas, Blue Sweet entry). Sources are broadly consistent, describing a rounded fruit with a gentle conic tendency.

Stem

Short (Downing). Not described in Thomas.

Cavity

Rather deep (Downing). Not described in Thomas.

Calyx

Closed (Downing). Not described in Thomas.

Basin

Small (Downing). Not described in Thomas.

Skin

Yellow ground, chiefly covered with dull red stripes and numerous red dots (Downing). Thomas describes only dull red striping, without noting the ground color or dots.

Flesh and Flavor

White, fine, tender, and pleasant; not very juicy (Downing and Thomas in agreement on all points). Thomas's Priest's Sweet entry confirms tender and pleasant character; the Blue Sweet entry in that volume independently confirms white, fine flesh and absence of juiciness.

Core and Seeds

Not described in either source.

Season

A late keeper, January to May (Downing). Thomas describes it as a good keeper (Priest's Sweet entry) and a long keeper (Blue Sweet entry).

Uses

Not described in either source.

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in either source.

Other

Quality rated Good by Downing.