Sugar Sweet

Apple

Sugar Sweet

Origin/History

From Massachusetts. Downing's specimen traces to that state, as does Thomas's citation. Elliott received his specimen from Hingham (a town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts), attributed to B.V. French.

Tree

Downing describes the tree as vigorous and upright. On bearing habit, sources conflict: Downing rates it a moderate bearer, while Elliott's specimen was an abundant bearer. No further tree characteristics described in sources.

Fruit

Size: Downing and Thomas agree the fruit is large. Elliott's specimen was medium — a notable discrepancy.

Form: Sources conflict. Downing describes the shape as roundish oblate conic. Elliott describes it as ovate. Thomas describes it as conic and ribbed. The Downing and Thomas descriptions (both conic) partially align; Elliott's ovate diverges.

Stem, Cavity, Calyx, Basin: Not described in sources.

Skin: Downing: yellow, mostly shaded with red, with a dark maroon cheek. Thomas: yellow, shaded red — consistent with Downing. Elliott's specimen diverges markedly: dull yellowish, inclining to russet, with no mention of red shading or a maroon cheek.

Flesh and Flavor: Downing: flesh white, fine-grained, not very tender, with a rich, honeyed sweetness; rated Good. Thomas: rich, very sweet. Elliott's specimen: flesh breaking and juicy — no mention of color or grain.

Core/Seeds: Not described in sources.

Season

Sources conflict on ripening season. Downing places it December to February (a winter keeper). Thomas concurs: winter. Elliott's specimen ripened in September and October — a full season earlier, suggesting either a distinct strain or a separate variety sharing the name.

Uses

Elliott specifically recommends it as a very rich baking apple. Downing and Thomas do not characterize its culinary use beyond general quality rating.

Subtypes/Variants

The divergence between Elliott's account (medium, ovate, dull yellowish-russet, fall-ripening, abundant bearer, baking) and those of Downing and Thomas (large, conic, yellow-red with maroon cheek, winter, moderate bearer, dessert quality) is substantial enough that the two may represent distinct varieties or regional strains traveling under the same name.

Other

Not described in sources.

Book Sources

Described in 3 period pomological works

View original book sources (3)

Sugar Sweet. From Massachusetts. Tree vigorous, upright, a moderate bearer. Fruit large, roundish oblate conic, yellow, mostly shaded with red, and a dark maroon cheek. Flesh white, fine-grained, not very tender, but with a rich, honeyed sweetness. Good. December to February.

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

Sugar Sweet.

This apple I received from Hingham. Size, medium, ovate ; dull yellowish, inclining to a russet ; abundant bearer ; ripe, September, October ; a very rich baking apple ; flesh, breaking and juicy. (B. V. French.)

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

Sugar Sweet. Large, conic, ribbed, yellow, shaded red; rich, very sweet. Winter. Mass.

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

Gov. list No. 217 Sacharnoc Sacharnoe