St. Hilaire
Apple
USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection
St. Hilaire Apple
Origin and History
This apple is said to have originated in the orchard of Alexis Dery, Province of Quebec, and is supposed to be a seedling of the Fameuse. It much resembles the Fameuse in the color and form of the fruit, but is a little larger and more variable in size.
Tree
Hardy as the Fameuse, with similar growth and bearing habit. Bears nearly as early as the Fameuse and quite as heavily.
Fruit
Size: Medium or below medium.
Form: Oblate or round oblate, very slightly conical.
Skin: Smooth, white, shaded with light and dark red and crimson (purplish crimson in the sun). Sometimes obscure splashes; sprinkled with a few light and brown dots, with more and minute dots near the basin.
Stem: Short to medium, slender.
Cavity: Medium, regular.
Calyx: Closed.
Basin: Rather small, slightly corrugated.
Flesh: Quite white, fine, tender, juicy, sprightly subacid, possessing a slight cranberry flavor.
Core: Small.
Season and Storage
November to January. Keeps longer than the Fameuse and carries better in transport.
Other
A favorite in the neighborhood of its origin.
Book Sources
Described in 1 period pomological work
View original book sources (1)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)St. Hilaire.
Cabane du Chien. Fameuse Baldwin (of some).
This apple is said to have originated in the orchard of Alexis Dery, Province of Quebec, and is supposed to be a seedling of the Fameuse, which it much resembles in the color and form of the fruit, but is a little larger, more variable in size, bears nearly as early, and quite as heavily, keeps longer, will carry better, and is a favorite in the neighborhood of its origin; tree as hardy as the Fameuse, and similar to it in growth and bearing.
Fruit medium or below, oblate or round oblate, very slightly conical, skin smooth, white, shaded with light and dark red and crimson (purplish crimson in the sun), sometimes obscure splashes, and sprinkled with a few light and brown dots, more and minute ones near the basin; stalk short to medium, slender; cavity medium, regular; calyx closed; basin rather small, slightly corrugated; flesh quite white, fine, tender, juicy, sprightly subacid, possessing a slight cranberry flavor; core small. November, January.