Tuttle
AppleTuttle
Origin/History
Tuttle originated on the farm of Lyman Tuttle, Hamden, Connecticut (Budd & Hansen; Thomas gives simply "of Conn."). Downing lists the origin as unknown, but the later authorities supply the specific provenance. The variety has been valued in its locality for market and home use (Budd & Hansen).
Tree
The tree is upright and vigorous (Downing; Budd & Hansen). Downing further describes the habit as spreading; Budd & Hansen do not mention spreading. It is an early and abundant bearer in alternate years (Budd & Hansen).
Fruit
Size and Form: Above medium to large (Budd & Hansen; Downing says above medium; Thomas says large). Shape roundish conic, sometimes unequal (Budd & Hansen); Downing describes it as roundish, slightly conic; Thomas as roundish and regular.
Stem: Very short and stout (Downing); short (Budd & Hansen).
Cavity: Downing describes the cavity as small and russeted. Budd & Hansen describe it as regular and obtuse, often with a large patch of russet radiating out over the base — a more expansive characterization than Downing's "small."
Calyx: Closed (Downing; Budd & Hansen). Segments flat, convergent (Budd & Hansen).
Basin: Narrow, very shallow (Budd & Hansen). Not described in Downing or Thomas.
Skin: Ground color pale yellow (Budd & Hansen), described by Downing simply as yellow. Surface mostly shaded with light red and marked with dark red stripes and splashes (Budd & Hansen; Downing; Thomas describes it as striped dark red). The two sources diverge on the dots: Downing records few whitish dots, while Budd & Hansen describe the dots as distinct, many, very large, and gray-russet, with many coalescent to form large russet patches across the surface.
Core and Seeds: Core wide open, medium, meeting (Budd & Hansen). Cells elliptical, entire (Budd & Hansen). Tube conical (Budd & Hansen). Stamens marginal (Budd & Hansen). Not described in Downing or Thomas.
Flesh and Flavor: Flesh whitish, tender, juicy, with a mild pleasant subacid flavor (Downing; Budd & Hansen; Thomas confirms pleasant sub-acid). Downing additionally notes the flesh as rather firm.
Quality: Very good (Budd & Hansen). Good to very good (Downing). Good (Thomas).
Season
Ripe December through February (Downing) or December through March (Budd & Hansen).
Uses
Market and home use (Budd & Hansen).
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 3 period pomological works
USDA Nomenclature (1905)
From W.H. Ragan, Nomenclature of the Apple, USDA Bulletin No. 56
This and the following probably identical.
View original book sources (3)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Tuttle.
Origin unknown. A strong, vigorous, upright, spreading grower. Fruit above medium, roundish; slightly conic, yellow, mostly shaded and splashed with dark and light red, few whitish dots. Stalk very short and stout. Cavity small, russeted. Calyx closed. Flesh whitish, rather firm, tender, juicy, pleasant, mild subacid. Good to very good. December, February.
— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)Tuttle, of Conn. Large, roundish, regular, striped dark red; pleasant sub-acid, good.
— J.L. Budd & N.E. Hansen, American Horticultural Manual, Part II: Systematic Pomology (1914)Tuttle.—Originated on farm of Lyman Tuttle, Hamden, Connecticut; tree upright, vigorous, an early and abundant bearer in alternate years, valued in its locality for market and home use.
Fruit above medium to large, roundish conic, sometimes unequal; surface pale yellow, shaded with a light red, with dark red stripes and splashes; dots distinct, many, very large, gray, russet, many coalescent, forming large russet patches; cavity regular, obtuse, often with large patch of russet radiating out over base; stem short; basin narrow, very shallow; calyx closed; segments flat convergent. Core wide open, medium, meeting; cells elliptical, entire; tube conical; stamens marginal; flesh whitish, tender, juicy, mild pleasant subacid, very good. December, March.