Reed
AppleReed Apple
Origin and History
The Reed originated on the premises of George Reed, Leedsville, Dutchess County, New York. Downing first documented it in 1869 (p. 329). It is a local variety of limited distribution; Beach (1905) notes that his station was unacquainted with it and had received no report concerning it from any correspondents, suggesting it did not circulate widely beyond its home county.
Tree
No tree characteristics are recorded in the available sources.
Fruit
Size and Form: Medium. Roundish.
Stem: Medium length.
Cavity: Not described.
Calyx: Small, closed.
Basin: Shallow.
Skin: Whitish ground, shaded, splashed, and mottled with light and dark red. (Beach's summary omits "splashed" but this appears to be an abridgment of Downing's original description rather than a conflicting observation.)
Flesh: White, a little stained next the skin. Tender and juicy. Flavor pleasant subacid. Quality rated Good.
Core and Seeds: Not described.
Season
November.
Uses
Not specifically described. The "Good" quality rating and pleasant subacid flavor suggest a dessert or fresh-eating apple.
Subtypes and Variants
None recorded.
Note: Both sources derive from the same original observation (Downing 1869); Beach adds no independent physical data. The description above is therefore based on a single primary observation and should be treated as a minimal record pending examination of actual specimens.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
View original book sources (2)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Reed.
Originated on the premises of George Reed, Leedsville, Dutchess Co., N. Y.
Fruit medium, roundish, whitish, shaded, splashed, and mottled with light and dark red. Stalk medium. Calyx small, closed. Basin shallow. Flesh white, a little stained next the skin, tender, juicy, pleasant subacid. Good. November.
— S.A. Beach, The Apples of New York, Vol. 2 (1905)REED.
Reference. 1. Downing, 1869:329.
Synonyms. None.
A local variety which according to Downing originated with George Reed, Leedsville, Dutchess county, N. Y. Fruit medium, whitish shaded and mottled with light and dark red; flesh white, a little stained next the skin, pleasant subacid, good; season November. We are unacquainted with this variety and have received no report concerning it from any of our correspondents.