Wheeler's Sweet
AppleWheeler's Sweet
Origin/History
Originated in Harding County, Ohio. Introduced by W. C. Hampton of Ohio.
Tree
Not described in source.
Fruit
Size and Form: The two principal sources disagree on size: Downing describes the fruit as medium, while Elliott describes it as large. Both agree on a conical form; Downing specifies "roundish conic," while Elliott describes it as "conical, flattened at ends." Elliott notes the surface is uneven or ribbed.
Skin: Rich lemon yellow ground color with a reddish cheek in the sun. Elliott adds russet marblings at the blossom end. Downing notes minute brown and light dots over the surface.
Stem: Short.
Cavity: Deep. Downing describes it as furrowed; Elliott specifies it is russeted at the bottom.
Calyx: Downing describes it as closed; Elliott as nearly closed.
Basin: Deep. Downing describes the basin as abrupt; Elliott as uneven and slightly corrugated.
Flesh and Flavor: Yellowish to yellowish white. The sources differ slightly on texture: Downing describes the flesh as rather firm and moderately juicy; Elliott describes it as crisp and tender. Both agree the flavor is sweet and pleasant. Downing rates quality as Good.
Core/Seeds: Core rather small (Downing). Not described in Elliott.
Season
October (both sources); Downing extends the season through November.
Uses
Not described in source.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
View original book sources (2)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Wheeler's Sweet.
Origin, Harding Co., O.
Fruit medium, roundish conic, yellow, with a red cheek in the sun, minute brown and light dots. Stalk short. Cavity deep, furrowed. Calyx closed. Basin abrupt, deep. Flesh yellowish, rather firm, moderately juicy, pleasant, sweet. Good. Core rather small. October, November.
— F.R. Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865)Wheeler's Sweet.
American. Introduced by W. C. Hampton, O. Fruit, large, conical, flattened at ends ; color, rich lemon yellow, with reddish cheek in sun and russet marblings at blossom end; surface, uneven or ribbed ; stem, short; cavity, deep, russeted at bottom ; calyx, nearly closed; basin, deep, uneven, slightly corrugated ; flesh, yellowish white, crisp, tender, sweet, pleasant. October.