Mifflin King

Apple

Mifflin King

Origin / History

Mifflin King originated in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, on the farm of Mr. Koffman (Downing). Elliott's account is credited to "Pom. Trans.," and Warder's to the American Pomological Society's Report.

Tree

Not described in source.

Fruit

Size: Small.

Form: Oblong (Elliott, Warder), or oblong oval (Thomas); Downing alone calls it oblate.

Stem: Short, small (Downing).

Cavity: Not described in source.

Calyx: Small, closed (Downing).

Basin: Not described in source.

Skin: Red on a yellow ground, the color of Rambo, "perhaps a trifle more red" (Warder), dull red (Thomas). Downing describes it as whitish with a slight blush.

Dots: A few, gray (Downing).

Flesh and flavor: Flesh tender to remarkably tender (Warder), and juicy; flavor pleasant, subacid. Downing adds that the flesh is white and crisp and the flavor lively subacid. Quality high: "best" (Elliott), "First rate" (Warder), "very good" (Thomas); Downing rates it only "Good."

Core and seeds: Not described in source.

Season

Autumn and early winter, October to December. Downing gives November and December.

Uses

Not described in source.

Subtypes / Variants

Not described in source.

Other

Not described in source.

Book Sources

Described in 4 period pomological works

View original book sources (4)

Mifflin King. From Mifflin Co., Pa. Fruit, small, oblong, red on yellow: flesh, tender, juicy, sub-acid : "best." October to December. (Pom. Trans.)

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

Mifflin King.

Origin Mifflin County, Pennsylvania. Fruit small, color of Rambo, perhaps a trifle more red, oblong; Flesh remarkably tender, juicy and pleasant; First rate.—[American Pomological Society's Report.]

— John A. Warder, American Pomology: Apples (1867)

Mifflin King.

Origin, farm of Mr. Koffman, Mifflin Co., Pa.

Fruit small, oblate, whitish with a slight blush and a few gray dots. Stalk short, small. Calyx small, closed. Flesh white, crisp, tender, juicy, pleasant, lively subacid. Good. November and December.

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

Mifflin King. Small, oblong oval, dull red; very good. Autumn. Pa.

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