Harper

Apple

USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection

Origin and History

Unknown origin, supposed to be Tennessee. Popular where known.

Tree

Vigorous with a round head. Bears moderate crops annually.

Fruit

Size and Form

Medium to large, oblate, slightly conic.

Skin

Whitish yellow, shaded, striped and splashed with light and dark bright red nearly over the whole surface, with many large and small light dots, a portion being areole.

Stem

Rather short, slender.

Cavity

Large, deep, yellowish.

Basin

Rather large, slightly wrinkled.

Flesh and Flavor

Whitish, half fine, tender, juicy, mild, pleasant subacid.

Core and Seeds

Core small.

Season

October, January.

Uses

Not described in source.

Subtypes and Variants

Not described in source.

Book Sources

Described in 1 period pomological work

Downing, Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)

Nursery Catalog Sources

Found in 2 catalogs (1901–1913) from Illinois

Benjamin Buckman (personal inventory) , Farmingdale , Illinois — 1901
Benjamin Buckman (personal inventory) , Farmingdale , Illinois — 1913

View original book sources (1)

Harper.

Of unknown origin, supposed to be Tennessee; tree vigorous, round head; bears moderate crops annually, and popular where known.

Fruit medium to large, oblate, slightly conic; skin whitish yellow, shaded, striped and splashed with light and dark bright red nearly over the whole surface, with many large and small light dots, a portion being areole; stalk rather short, slender; cavity large, deep, yellowish; basin rather large, slightly wrinkled; flesh whitish, half fine, tender, juicy, mild, pleasant subacid; core small. October, January.

— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)

Harper's Seedling