Sweet Baldwin

Sweet Baldwin

Origin/History

Downing gives the origin as unknown. Elliott classifies it as American. Elliott raises the possibility that two distinct apples circulate under this name, noting that Thomas (in an earlier edition) described one as "nearly first-rate" and ripening in "early Winter" — a characterization at odds with the modest assessments in later sources.

Tree

Very vigorous, upright spreading, and productive. (Downing.) Not described in Elliott or Thomas.

Fruit

Size: Medium, across all three sources.

Form: Roundish oblate (Downing); roundish (Elliott, Thomas). Downing's "oblate" qualifier is not echoed in the other sources.

Skin: Ground color yellowish, shaded, splashed, and striped with light and dark red; thin bloom; light dots. (Downing.) Elliott describes it as deep red, striped on yellow — consistent with Downing's coloring but emphasizing the depth of the red overlay. Thomas likewise says deep red.

Stem, Cavity, Calyx, Basin: Not described in any source.

Flesh/Flavor: Yellowish, moderately juicy, mild, sweet (Downing). Sweet, dry (Elliott) — Elliott's "dry" conflicts with Downing's "moderately juicy." Firm, sweet (Thomas).

Quality: Good (Downing). Of little value (Thomas). Elliott does not give a direct rating for this form but notes the possible existence of a superior namesake apple rated "nearly first-rate" by Thomas elsewhere.

Core/Seeds: Not described in any source.

Season

October (Downing). September–October (Elliott). November (Thomas).

Uses

Not described in any source.

Subtypes/Variants

Elliott explicitly suggests there may be two apples grown under the name Sweet Baldwin, pointing to a divergence between a September–October ripening form of modest quality and a separate "early Winter" form described elsewhere as nearly first-rate. This potential name collision should be borne in mind when identifying specimens.

Other

Not described in any source.