Clark's Prolific
AppleClark's Prolific
Origin/History
Raised by W. G. Clark of Albia, Iowa. Highly esteemed in the neighborhood of its origin.
Tree
Hardy and vigorous, an early and abundant bearer. Both sources agree on hardiness; Downing describes the tree as vigorous, Thomas as very productive.
Fruit
Size: Downing gives medium to large; Thomas gives medium.
Form: Oblate conic, slightly angular.
Stem: Short, small.
Cavity: Broad, deep, uneven; sometimes with a slight russet.
Calyx: Small, closed.
Basin: Rather small, slightly furrowed.
Skin: Pale whitish yellow with a shade of light red, a few gray dots and many indistinct light dots. (Thomas describes the color more simply as pale yellow.)
Flesh/Flavor: White, fine, very tender, juicy, lively subacid, slightly aromatic.
Core/Seeds: Core small.
Season
Downing gives November to February, indicating a keeper of several months through the winter. Thomas describes it as early winter.
Uses
Not described in source.
Subtypes/Variants
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)Clark's Prolific.
Raised by W. G. Clark, Albia, Iowa; tree hardy, vigorous; an early and abundant bearer, and is highly esteemed in the neighborhood of its origin.
Fruit medium to large, oblate conic, slightly angular; skin pale whitish yellow, a shade of light red, a few gray and many indistinct light dots; stalk short, small; cavity broad, deep, uneven, sometimes slight russet; calyx small, closed; basin rather small, slightly furrowed; flesh white, fine, very tender, juicy, lively subacid, slightly aromatic; core small. November, February.
— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)Clark's Prolific. Medium, oblate-conic, pale yellow; flesh white, fine, tender, juicy, sub-acid. Early winter. Tree hardy, very productive. Iowa.