Sheriff

Sheriff.

American Beauty (incorrectly).

This was brought from Pennsylvania, many years since, by James Sheriff— hence its name, the true or original one having been lost. The tree is said to be vigorous and very hardy, one of the iron-clads; this with its crops of fair fruit, although not rich, makes it of value for a cold climate; the tree grows tall, with few branches, forming an open, somewhat spreading, symmetrical top; it comes early into bearing, and bears regular annual crops.

Fruit rather below medium, roundish oblate, flattened at the ends, nearly regular; skin pale yellow, nearly covered with light and dark red, with obscure stripes and splashes, and many small light dots; stalk short; cavity small, russetted; calyx closed; basin large, deep, slightly corrugated; flesh whitish, fine, tender, juicy, mild subacid; pleasant flavor, but not rich; core small. December, February.

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

SHERIFF.

REFERENCES. 1. Ia. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1880:600. 2. Downing, 1881:105 app. 3. Am. Pom. Soc. Cat., 1889:12. 4. Taylor, Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt., 1895:193, 199. 5. Hansen, S. D. Sta. Bul., 76:98. 1902. fig. 6. Budd-Hansen, 1903:174.

SYNONYM. American Beauty incorrectly (2, 5, 6).

This variety has received attention in some parts of the West on account of its superior hardiness. The fruit is of medium size and pleasant flavor but not high quality. The tree comes into bearing young, is a reliable cropper and productive (1, 2, 5, 6).

Historical. Downing reports that this variety was brought from Pennsylvania by James Sheriff and the original name having been lost it was called Sheriff (2). It was placed upon the list of the American Pomological Society in 1889 (3) as a variety worthy of testing but was dropped from that list in 1897.

TREE (2, 5, 6).

Tree very hardy, vigorous, tall, with few branches. Form symmetrical, somewhat spreading, open.

FRUIT (2, 5, 6).

Fruit medium or below medium. Form roundish to roundish oblate or somewhat cylindrical, flattened at the ends, nearly regular. Stem short to long and slender. Cavity small, acuminate, deep, very narrow, regular, green and russeted. Calyx closed; lobes erect, convergent. Basin large, wide, shallow to deep, wavy or slightly ribbed.

Skin pale yellow or greenish, nearly covered with light and dark red obscurely striped and splashed with carmine. Dots numerous, small, distinct, pale or whitish.

Calyx tube funnel-shape. Stamens median.

Core very large; cells ovate, slit, closed. Seeds few to many, plump, pointed.

Flesh whitish, fine-grained, tender, juicy, mild subacid, good but not rich in quality.

Season December to February.

— S.A. Beach, The Apples of New York, Vol. 1 (1905)