Kelsey

Apple

Kelsey

Origin/History

Originated in Berks County, Pennsylvania, on the premises of John Kelsey. The variety was reported by W. D. Brinckle (Elliott).

Tree

Not described in sources.

Fruit

Size and Form: Medium, roundish oblate, sometimes inclining to conical.

Stem: Short, inserted in a deep, moderately open cavity (Elliott).

Cavity: Deep, moderately open (Elliott).

Calyx: Closed (Elliott).

Basin: Very shallow, plaited (Elliott).

Skin: Greenish yellow, with occasionally a faint blush, and numerous gray dots.

Flesh and Flavor: Flesh tender, of fine texture, greenish white. Flavor mild and exceedingly pleasant, with a fragrant aroma (Elliott; Thomas similarly notes "pleasant, aromatic"). Downing describes the flavor as mild subacid; Elliott makes no mention of subacidity, emphasizing instead the pleasantness and aroma. Quality rated very good by Elliott and Thomas; good by Downing.

Season

March.

Uses

Not described in sources.

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in sources.

Other

Not described in sources.

Book Sources

Described in 3 period pomological works

View original book sources (3)

Kelsey.

Origin, Berks Co., Pa., on the premises of John Kelsey.

Fruit medium, roundish oblate, sometimes inclining to conical, greenish yellow, with occasionally a faint blush, and numerous gray dots. Flesh tender, fine texture, greenish white, mild subacid. Good. March.

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

Kelsey. Origin, Berks County, Pa., on the premises of John Kelsey. Size, medium, roundish oblate, sometimes inclining to conical ; skin, greenish yellow, with occasionally a faint blush and numerous gray dots : stem, short, inserted in a deep, moderately open cavity ; calyx, closed, set in a very shallow, plaited basin ; flesh, tender, fine texture, greenish white ; flavor, mild, and exceedingly pleasant, fragrant aroma ; quality, very good. March. (W. D. Brinckle.)

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

Kelsey. Medium, roundish-oblate, greenish-yellow; flesh greenish-white, tender, pleasant, aromatic, very good. March. Pa.

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