Hepler

Apple

Hepler

Origin/History

Raised by Mr. Hepler, of Reading, Pennsylvania. Elliott (1865) lists it as American in origin, noting "Hepler, of some" as an alternate rendering of his entry heading "Hepper," indicating the name was not yet fully standardized at that date.

Tree

Not described in source.

Fruit

Size and Form

Sources disagree on size: Elliott (1865) gives it as small, while Downing (1900) and Thomas (1903) both describe it as medium. Elliott and Downing agree the form is roundish; Thomas (1903) gives a more specific form of oblate conic, which conflicts with the roundish characterization of the other two sources.

Stem

Not described in source.

Cavity

Not described in source.

Calyx

Not described in source.

Basin

Not described in source.

Skin

Light yellow, shaded with dull red (Downing 1900; Thomas 1903). Elliott (1865) gives only yellow, without mention of the red shading.

Flesh and Flavor

Sources conflict on the character of the flesh. Elliott (1865) describes the flesh as dry. Downing (1900) contradicts this, giving the flesh as white, juicy, and of a pleasant subacid flavor, and rates the variety Good. Thomas (1903) corroborates the subacid flavor but gives no further flesh detail.

Core and Seeds

Not described in source.

Season

Winter. Downing (1900) gives the keeping period as December to April. Thomas (1903) confirms winter season. Elliott (1865) gives no season.

Uses

Not described in source.

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in source.

Book Sources

Described in 3 period pomological works

USDA Nomenclature (1905)

From W.H. Ragan, Nomenclature of the Apple, USDA Bulletin No. 56

Possibly identical with: Hepler

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 (3)

Hepper. Hepler, of some. American. Small, roundish, yellow ; flesh, dry.

[Additional entry in this volume: "Hepler", pp. 192–192]

Hepper. Hepler, of some. American. Small, roundish, yellow ; flesh, dry.

— F.R. Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865)

Hepler.

Raised by Mr. Hepler, of Reading, Pa.

Fruit medium, roundish. Color light yellow, shaded with dull red. Flesh white, juicy, pleasant subacid. Good. December to April.

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

Hepler. Medium, oblate conic, light yellow, shaded dull red; sub-acid. Winter. Pa.

— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)

Hepper