Mifflin King

Apple

Origin & History

Originated on the farm of Mr. Koffman, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania (Downing). Warder and Elliott confirm the Mifflin County, Pennsylvania origin without naming the farm.

Tree

Not described in source.

Fruit

Size: Small (all sources agree).

Form: Sources disagree. Downing describes the fruit as oblate. Warder and Elliott describe it as oblong. Thomas describes it as oblong oval.

Skin: Warder describes the color as that of Rambo, perhaps a trifle more red. Downing describes it as whitish with a slight blush and a few gray dots. Elliott describes it as red on yellow. Thomas describes it as dull red. The gray dots on the skin are noted only by Downing.

Stem: Short, small (Downing).

Cavity: Not described in source.

Calyx: Small, closed (Downing).

Basin: Not described in source.

Flesh & Flavor: White, crisp, remarkably tender, juicy, and pleasant, with a lively subacid flavor. Downing specifies the flesh color as white and adds "crisp" and "lively subacid." Warder emphasizes "remarkably tender, juicy and pleasant." Elliott describes it as tender, juicy, subacid. Quality ratings vary: Warder rates it "first rate," Elliott marks it "best" (citing Pomological Transactions), Thomas rates it "very good," while Downing rates it only "good."

Core & Seeds: Not described in source.

Season

October to December (Elliott gives the broadest range). Downing specifies November and December. Thomas places it in autumn.

Uses

Not described in source.

Book Sources

Described in 4 period pomological works

View original book sources (4)

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

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