Clapper Flat
Apple
USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection
Clapper Flat
Origin/History
Originated in the town of Bethlehem, Albany County, New York. Downing's account (1869) is the sole known published description; Beach (1905) found no other account of this variety and did not know it from personal observation.
Tree
Productive. No further tree characteristics described in source.
Fruit
Size and Form: Above medium in size. Shape oblate, inclining to conic.
Stem: Not described in source.
Cavity: Not described in source.
Calyx: Not described in source.
Basin: Not described in source.
Skin: Pale yellow ground, mostly covered, shaded, and splashed with deep red.
Flesh/Flavor: Flesh yellowish, moderately juicy, tender, pleasant subacid. Quality rated Good.
Core/Seeds: Not described in source.
Season
September and October.
Uses
Highly valued for cooking; rated Good for culinary uses.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Downing lists the name "Flat Apple" in association with this variety. Beach's 1905 account is derived entirely from Downing's 1869 description (p. 127) and adds no independent observations.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
View original book sources (2)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Clapper Flat.
Flat Apple.
Origin, town of Bethlehem, Albany Co., N. Y. Tree productive.
Fruit above medium, oblate inclining to conic, pale yellow, mostly covered, shaded and splashed with deep red. Flesh yellowish, moderately juicy, tender, pleasant subacid. Good. Highly valued for cooking September, October.
— S.A. Beach, The Apples of New York, Vol. 2 (1905)CLAPPER FLAT.
REFERENCE. 1. Downing, 1869:127.
SYNONYMS. CLAPPER FLAT (1). Flat (1).
Downing describes a variety under this name which originated in the town of Bethlehem, Albany county, N. Y. He states (1) that the tree is productive, the fruit above medium size, pale yellow mostly overspread with deep red, pleasant subacid and good in quality for culinary uses; season September and October. We do not know this variety and have found no account of it except that given by Downing.