Scott's Best
AppleScott's Best
Origin/History
Originated on the farm of Luther Scott, Hinsdale, Cattaraugus County, N.Y. First described by Downing in 1869 (p. 349). Beach (1905) notes that they were unacquainted with the variety and had received no report concerning it from any of their correspondents, citing Downing as the sole authority.
Tree
Moderately vigorous, spreading.
Fruit
Size and Form: Medium to large, roundish oblate.
Stem: Variable, slender.
Cavity: Slightly russeted.
Calyx: Nearly closed.
Basin: Not described in source.
Skin: Yellowish, shaded and mottled with light red, striped and splashed with crimson.
Flesh/Flavor: Flesh whitish, fine-grained, tender, juicy, agreeable, slightly aromatic, subacid. Quality rated good to very good.
Core/Seeds: Not described in source.
Season
November and December.
Uses
Not described in source.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Beach's description is an explicit paraphrase of Downing with no independent observation; the two sources do not represent independent corroboration. Downing's account is the sole primary description on record.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
View original book sources (2)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Scott's Best. Origin, farm of Luther Scott, Hinsdale, Cattaraugus Co., N. Y. Tree moderately vigorous, spreading. Fruit medium to large, roundish oblate, yellowish shaded and mottled with light red, striped and splashed with crimson. Stalk variable, slender. Cavity slightly russeted. Calyx nearly closed. Flesh whitish, fine-grained, tender, juicy, agreeable, slightly aromatic, subacid. Good to very good. November, December.
— S.A. Beach, The Apples of New York, Vol. 2 (1905)SCOTT BEST.
Reference. 1. Downing, 1869:349. Synonyms. None.
We are unacquainted with this variety and have received no report concerning it from any of our correspondents. According to Downing it originated on the farm of Luther Scott, Hinsdale, Cattaraugus county, N. Y. The tree is moderately vigorous, spreading; the fruit medium to large, yellowish, shaded and mottled with light red, striped and splashed with crimson; flesh whitish, fine, tender, subacid, good to very good. Season November and December (1).