Rockport Sweet

Apple

Rockport Sweet

Origin / History

Sources give conflicting origins, and historical sources note that two distinct varieties may bear this name. Downing and Thomas attribute the variety to Massachusetts. Elliott states that Rockport Sweet originated with H. R. Spencer of Rockport, Ohio, and adds that "there is also a Rockport Sweet, originated in Mass., with a short, thick stem, set in a ribbed cavity." Downing similarly notes: "There is claimed to be another Rockport Sweet, originating in Ohio, but we fail to discover the distinction by means of the fruit." Lowther's tabulation marks the variety as "Mo" (origin abbreviation as given). The variety was reported by 2 stations in the Northern Division and in at least one other division.

Tree

Downing: a strong grower and productive. Young shoots reddish brown, smooth. Elliott: a moderate, healthy grower.

Fruit

Size: Medium (Downing, Elliott, Thomas). Size not recorded by Lowther.

Form: Roundish oblate (Downing); roundish (oblate) (Lowther); oblate (Thomas); roundish conical, flat at base (Elliott).

Stem / Stalk: Downing (Massachusetts fruit): rather long, and (per Elliott's note on the Massachusetts version) short, thick, set in a ribbed cavity. Elliott (Ohio fruit): slender.

Cavity: Downing: somewhat ribbed, surrounded by russet. Elliott: russeted. Elliott further notes the Massachusetts strain has a ribbed cavity.

Calyx: Large, nearly closed (Downing); nearly closed (Elliott).

Basin: Broad, open (Downing); regular, open (Elliott).

Skin / Color: Greenish, becoming waxen yellow, with a dull red cheek (Downing); waxy yellowish green, with brown russet or occasionally a dull red cheek (Elliott); yellow, with a red cheek (Thomas); greenish yellow (Lowther).

Flesh / Flavor: Whitish, juicy, brisk, sweet (Downing); white, juicy, pleasantly sweet (Elliott); sweet, aromatic (Thomas). Quality "good to very good" (Downing); "very good" (Elliott and Lowther).

Core / Seeds: Core small (Downing); core open, seeds ovate pointed (Elliott).

Season

January to April (Downing, Elliott); winter (Lowther, Thomas).

Uses

Family use (Lowther).

Subtypes / Variants

Two distinct fruits have been described under this name:

A Massachusetts variety (Downing, Thomas) with a rather long stalk, or — according to Elliott's note — a short, thick stem set in a ribbed cavity.
An Ohio variety (Elliott), originated with H. R. Spencer of Rockport, Ohio, having a slender stem and roundish conical form flat at the base.

Downing remarks that he could not distinguish the two by the fruit.

Other

Not described in source.

Book Sources

Described in 4 period pomological works

USDA Nomenclature (1905)

From W.H. Ragan, Nomenclature of the Apple, USDA Bulletin No. 56

Probably same as Rockport. Downing thought so.

View original book sources (4)

Rockport Sweet.

Origin, Massachusetts. Tree a strong grower and productive. Young shoots reddish brown, smooth.

Fruit medium, roundish oblate, greenish, becoming waxen yellow, with a dull red cheek. Stalk rather long, inserted in a cavity somewhat ribbed, surrounded by russet. Calyx large, nearly closed, set in a broad, open basin. Flesh whitish, juicy, brisk, sweet. Good to very good. January to April. Core small.

There is claimed to be another Rockport Sweet, originating in Ohio, but we fail to discover the distinction by means of the fruit.

— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)

Rockport Sweet (Mo): form roundish (oblate); color greenish yellow; quality very good; use family; season winter. Reported by 2 stations in the Northern Division, also reported in at least one other division. Size not recorded.

— Granville Lowther (ed.), Encyclopedia of Practical Horticulture (1914)

Rockport Sweet. Originated with H. R. Spencer, Rockport, O. Tree, a moderate healthy grower. Fruit, medium, roundish conical, flat at base; waxy yellowish green, with brown russet or occasionally a dull red cheek; stem, slender; cavity, russeted; calyx, nearly closed: basin, regular, open; flesh, white, juicy, pleasantly sweet: core, open; seeds, ovate pointed; "very good;" January to April. There is also a Rockport Sweet, originated in Mass., with a short, thick stem, set in a ribbed cavity.

— F.R. Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865)

Rockport Sweet. Medium, oblate, yellow, with a red cheek; sweet, aromatic. Winter. Mass.

— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)

Douce de Rockport Süss Apfel von Rockport