Twitchell's Sweet
AppleTwitchell's Sweet
Origin/History
Originated in Dublin, New Hampshire. All three sources confirm the New Hampshire origin; Downing specifies Dublin as the precise locality.
Tree
A vigorous grower with slender branches; very productive. (Downing)
Fruit
Size and Form: Medium. Downing describes the form as roundish conic; Elliott and Thomas describe it as conical or conic without the "roundish" qualification.
Skin: Red, shaded with purple (Downing, Thomas); Elliott describes it simply as red without mentioning purple shading. The surface is partially sprinkled with small gray dots (Downing, Elliott).
Stem: Long and slender, inserted in a deep cavity. (Downing)
Cavity: Deep. (Downing)
Calyx: Small and closed. (Downing)
Basin: Abrupt and plaited. (Downing)
Flesh and Flavor: Very white (Downing; Elliott and Thomas say white), veined with red under the skin and sometimes at the core (Downing, Elliott). Thomas describes the flesh as stained, consistent with the red veining noted by Downing and Elliott. Tender (Downing). Very sweet and pleasant (Downing, Thomas); Elliott corroborates the sweetness. Quality rated Good. (Downing)
Season
November through December (Downing, Elliott). Thomas records November only.
Uses
Not described in source.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 3 period pomological works
View original book sources (3)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Twitchell's Sweet. Origin, Dublin, N. H.; a vigorous grower, with slender branches, and very productive. Fruit medium, roundish conic, red, shaded with purple, and partially sprinkled with small gray dots. Stalk long and slender, inserted in a deep cavity. Calyx small and closed, set in an abrupt, plaited basin. Flesh very white, veined with red under the skin, and sometimes at the core, tender, very sweet and pleasant. Good. November, December.
— F.R. Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865)Twitchell's Sweet. From New Hampshire. Fruit, medium, conical, red, with small gray dots ; flesh, white, veined with red, sweet. November, December.
— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)Twitchell's Sweet. Medium, conic, red and purple; flesh white, stained; sweet, pleasant flavor. November. N. H.