Progress
AppleProgress
Origin and History
A native of Middlefield, Connecticut (Downing, 1900). Warder (1867), quoting an earlier version of Downing's description, gives the origin as Middletown, Connecticut — a likely transcription error, as Downing's own text is explicit on Middlefield. The original tree stood on the land of Enoch Coe, on ground formerly belonging to Isaac Miller, Esq., and for some time the variety was known as "Esquire Miller's Best Sort." The tree bears early and is very productive.
Tree
A moderate grower, forming a handsome head.
Fruit
Size: Downing (1900) gives size as medium. Warder (1867), quoting an earlier Downing description, gives size as above medium.
Form: Downing (1900) describes the fruit as roundish oblate. Warder (1867), again quoting an earlier Downing text, gives a more complex shape: rather globular, inclining to conic, sometimes oblate, somewhat angular. The Encyclopedia of Practical Horticulture (1914) codes the form as roundish oblate, consistent with Downing (1900).
Stem: Short, inserted in a round cavity.
Cavity: Round, surrounded by russet.
Calyx: Large, partially closed.
Basin: Open (Downing); shallow and open (Warder).
Skin: Smooth, yellow, with a sunny cheek, sometimes with a few scattered gray dots.
Flesh and Flavor: Solid, tender, crisp, juicy. Downing (1900) describes the flavor as refreshing and subacid, rating the fruit Good to Very Good. Warder (1867) describes the flavor as very refreshing and vinous — a meaningful difference from subacid, likely reflecting either a different source text or an earlier characterization of the variety.
Core: Small (Downing).
Season and Use
Ripe October to April — a notably long keeping season extending well into winter and early spring. The Encyclopedia of Practical Horticulture (1914) codes the season as autumn, and assigns the variety to Division 16 for both northern and central regions (marked with an asterisk, indicating particular suitability or note). Use coded as general.
Book Sources
Described in 3 period pomological works
View original book sources (3)
— John A. Warder, American Pomology: Apples (1867)Progress.
Not having had the good fortune to study this apple, I quote the description given by Downing;
"A native of Middletown, Connecticut. Tree a moderate grower and forms a handsome head, bears early and very productive.
"Size above medium, rather globular, inclining to conic, sometimes oblate, somewhat angular; Stem short, inserted into a round cavity, surrounded by russet; Calyx large, partially closed, set in a shallow, open basin; Skin smooth, yellow, with a sunny cheek, sometimes a few scattered, gray dots; Flesh solid, tender, crisp, juicy, with a very refreshing, vinous flavor. Ripe October until April."
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Progress. "Esquire Miller's Best Sort." A native of Middlefield, Conn. Tree a moderate grower, and forms a handsome head, bears early, and very productive. The original tree stands on the land of Enoch Coe, formerly of Isaac Miller Esq., and for some time was called "Esquire Miller's best Sort." Fruit medium, roundish oblate. Stalk short, inserted in a round cavity, surrounded by russet. Calyx large, partially closed, set in an open basin. Skin smooth, yellow, with a sunny cheek, sometimes with a few scattered gray dots. Flesh solid, tender, crisp, juicy, refreshing, subacid. Good to very good. Core small. Ripe, October to April.
— Granville Lowther (ed.), Encyclopedia of Practical Horticulture (1914)Progress. Size: M. Form: rob. Color: gy. Quality: B. Use: b. Season: A. N. Div.: 16*. C. Div.: 16*.