Crawford's Keeper

Origin/History

Crawford's Keeper originated in Lawrence County, Ohio. The fruit was received by John A. Warder from H. N. Gillett of Lawrence County, Ohio, as recorded in his 1867 American Pomology.

Tree

The tree is a strong grower and a great bearer. Young shoots are slender, clear, smooth, and light reddish brown.

Fruit

Size and Form

The fruit is large (Warder) or above medium (Downing) in size. The two sources describe the form somewhat differently: Warder describes it as cylindrical, oblong, and lop-sided, while Downing describes it as roundish truncated conical and oblique. Both characterizations agree that the fruit is asymmetrical in some degree.

Skin

Warder describes the surface as smooth and purplish red. Downing describes the color as light yellow, mostly overspread with a rich red, with large light gray specks. Warder notes the dots as numerous and fawn colored; Downing's large light gray specks likely correspond to these same surface dots.

Stem

Warder describes the stem as medium in length. Downing describes the stem as very short. These accounts conflict; both are retained.

Cavity

Warder describes the cavity as acute, regular, rough, and brown. Downing describes the cavity as large, deep, acute, and slightly russeted. Both sources agree on the acute character of the cavity; Downing adds that it is large and deep, and notes slight russeting where Warder notes roughness and brown coloration.

Calyx and Basin

Warder describes the eye as small and closed, and the basin as wide, shallow, and wavy. Downing describes the calyx as closed or nearly so, with segments divided, and the basin as very deep, broad, abrupt, and slightly furrowed. The two sources conflict on basin depth: Warder characterizes it as shallow, while Downing characterizes it as very deep. Both versions are retained. The two sources agree that the calyx is closed or nearly closed.

Flesh and Flavor

Warder describes the flesh as yellow, breaking, tender, fine-grained, and juicy, with a sub-acid, rich flavor, and rates the quality as good to very good, with table as the designated use. Downing describes the flesh as yellowish white, breaking, moderately juicy, mild, sweet, and subacid. Both sources agree on the breaking texture and the subacid character. Warder emphasizes richness and juiciness and rates flavor toward the high end; Downing's characterization is milder and sweeter, with moderate juiciness. Both agree on a quality rating of good to very good.

Core and Seeds

Warder describes the core as regular and open, with seeds numerous and brown.

Season

Warder gives the season as February to April. Downing gives the season as January to March. Both sources agree this is a late-keeping winter variety.

Uses

Table use, as noted by Warder. Warder characterizes Crawford's Keeper as "very desirable."

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in source.

Other

Not described in source.