Westfield Seek-no-Further

Origin/History

Westfield Seek-no-Further is a native of one of the Eastern states (Coxe, 1817). The name "Seek-no-Further" has, according to Beach (1905), been applied to many different apples; the variety that pomologists know as Westfield Seek-no-Further is what New York fruit growers and fruit buyers commonly call simply "Seek-No-Further" or its abbreviation, "Seek."

Tree

Sources conflict on habit. Coxe (1817) describes a tree that bears well, with a trunk straight and tall, shooting its branches upward in a handsome and regular form. Hedrick (1922) characterizes the tree as large, vigorous, and upright-spreading, but with a dense canopy — suggesting the upright tendency is accompanied by a fuller, denser crown than Coxe's description alone implies.

Fruit

Size

Sources disagree. Coxe (1817) calls it a large fruit. Hedrick (1922) describes the fruit as medium in size.

Form

Hedrick (1922): round-conic or round-oblate, often irregularly elliptical, broadly ribbed. Coxe (1817) describes the form as round but oblong.

Stem

Short or very short (Hedrick, 1922). Not described by Coxe.

Cavity

Small, acuminate, deep, narrow, sometimes gently furrowed, usually russeted and often with outspreading russet rays (Hedrick, 1922).

Calyx

Small, closed; lobes converging, usually reflexed, narrow, acute (Hedrick, 1922). The calyx-tube is long, cone-shaped, sometimes extending into the core; stamens median (Hedrick, 1922).

Basin

Small, abrupt, usually deep, narrow, furrowed, often pubescent (Hedrick, 1922).

Skin

Sources conflict significantly on color. Hedrick (1922) describes the skin as smooth, thin, and tough, pale yellow in ground color but substantially covered with red, mottled and striped with darker red; dots scattering, obscure, pale yellow or russet. Coxe (1817) describes the skin as smooth and of a yellowish green color, with no mention of red. The smooth surface is a point of agreement.

Flesh and Flavor

Hedrick (1922): yellow, sometimes stained with red, firm, crisp, coarse, tender, very juicy, briskly subacid, eventually becoming mild subacid, aromatic; rated good. Coxe (1817) describes the flesh as yellow, juicy, rich, and tender — consistent with Hedrick on color and juiciness.

Core and Seeds

Core small, axile or abaxile with hollow central cylinder; cells uniformly developed, symmetrical, closed or partly open; core-lines meeting; carpels broadly round, elliptical, emarginate, mucronate, smooth or nearly so (Hedrick, 1922). Seeds numerous, small, narrow, acute, plump, dark, sometimes tufted (Hedrick, 1922).

Season

November to April (Hedrick, 1922). Coxe (1817) describes it as an agreeable early winter apple, consistent with a November start.

Uses

An early winter apple suitable for fresh eating; the flesh is described as rich, juicy, and agreeable (Coxe, 1817). The extended season through April (Hedrick, 1922) indicates good keeping quality.

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in source. Beach (1905) notes that the name "Seek-no-Further" has been applied to many distinct varieties, among them: Long Island Seek-no-Further and Rhode Island Seek-no-Further and Westchester Seek-no-Further (all referring to the variety Ferris), May Seek-no-Further (referring to Grayhouse), Oakland County Seek-no-Further (referring to Oakland), and Seek-no-Further of some (referring to Rambo). These are distinct varieties that share the popular name, not strains of Westfield Seek-no-Further itself.