Notes on Origin of the Delicious Apple

Abstract

In the Proceedings of the 1905 meeting of APS, Col. G.B. Brackett, of Washington, D.C., has the following to say about the Delicious apple: "It originated in Madison County, Iowa, not far from Des Moines. The original tree came up as a sprout from the stump of a Yellow Bellflower that had been destroyed. The sprout was about six years old when it first fruited; the quality of the apple was so fine that the owner, Mr. Jesse Hyatt, at once set some grafts from it, as well as cultivating the original sprout, which soon began to make a very strong, thrifty growth. At 15 years of age, the tree was 13 inches in diameter at the ground. The tree is of upright growth, with heavy dark green foliage. It has proven extremely hardy; it bears annually and yields large quantities of beautiful, delicious fruit."