Carpenter
AppleCarpenter
Origin/History
American variety. Originated from a seed of the Belmont with Charles Carpenter, of Kelly Island (also spelled Kelley Island). Elliott (1865) notes it was new at the time of writing.
Tree
The two sources conflict on vigor: Downing describes the tree as a moderate grower, forming a medium-sized, round, spreading head; Elliott characterizes it as a strong, healthy grower and an annual, abundant bearer. Both sources agree the tree is productive.
Fruit
Size and Form: The sources conflict slightly on size — Downing gives medium, Elliott gives above medium. Both agree on the form: roundish oblate (Downing) / roundish flattened (Elliott), with Elliott further noting the fruit is oblique.
Stem: Varying in character (Elliott): sometimes thick, short, and stout; at other times medium in length and size.
Cavity: Open, deep, regular (Elliott).
Calyx: Large, open; segments five, distinct, long, reflexed (Elliott).
Basin: Deep, round, regular, slightly furrowed (Elliott).
Skin: The sources conflict on surface texture — Downing describes an oily surface, while Elliott describes the skin as rather rough. Both agree on the ground color: Downing gives yellow; Elliott gives rich lemon yellow. Both note deepening or shading in sun — Downing describes a brownish crimson shading with occasional marblings of russet; Elliott describes a rich red cheek. Elliott additionally notes the skin is thickly dotted with small gray dots apparently raised upon the surface.
Flesh and Flavor: Downing: yellowish, rather firm, rather rich, pleasant subacid; quality rated Good, or almost very good. Elliott: yellowish white, crisp, breaking, juicy, sharp subacid. The sources agree on the general subacid character but differ in emphasis — Downing stresses richness and pleasantness, Elliott stresses crispness and sharpness.
Core: Downing gives small; Elliott gives medium or small, compact.
Seeds: Long, ovate pointed (Elliott).
Season
Downing gives January to March. Elliott gives February to May. The sources overlap in February–March; Elliott's range extends later into spring.
Uses
Valuable for cooking from November to May (Elliott). Downing notes it is a good keeper.
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)Carpenter.
Originated from a seed of the Belmont, with Charles Carpenter, Kelley Island. Tree a moderate grower, forming a medium-sized round, spreading head.
Fruit medium roundish oblate, yellow, oily surface, shaded with a brownish crimson in sun, and occasional marblings of russet. Flesh yellowish, rather firm, rather rich, pleasant subacid. Good, or almost very good. Core small. Productive. Good keeper. January to March.
— F.R. Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865)Carpenter.
American. New, originated with Charles Carpenter, of Kelly Island. Tree, strong, healthy grower — an annual, abundant bearer.
Fruit, above medium, roundish flattened, oblique ; skin, rather rough, rich lemon yellow, deepening in sun. often with a rich red cheek, thickly dotted with small gray dots, apparently raised upon the surface ; stem, varying, sometimes thick, short, and stout : again, medium in length and size; cavity, open, deep, regular; calyx, large, open; segments five, distinct, long, reflexed; basin, deep, round, regular, slightly furrowed; flesh, yellowish white, crisp, breaking juicy, sharp sub-acid ; core, medium or small, compact ; seeds, long, ovate pointed. February to May. Valuable for cooking from November to May.