Rolen's Keeper
Apple
Rolen's Keeper
Origin/History
Received from H. N. Gillett of Lawrence County, Ohio. Origin not given. Downing (1900) records the name "Rowland" alongside this variety, citing Warder as his source.
Tree
Not described in source.
Fruit
Size and Form: Medium, round, regular.
Stem and Cavity: Stem long, slender. Cavity deep, acute, regular.
Calyx and Basin: Eye (calyx) small, closed. Basin shallow, regular, leather-cracked.
Skin: Surface rough, splashed red on russet. Dots scattered, small, white.
Flesh and Flavor: Flesh greenish yellow, fine-grained. Flavor acid, rich. Quality good to very good.
Core and Seeds: Core roundish-ovate, regular, closed, clasping. Seeds very numerous, short, plump.
Season
March, April.
Uses
Table. Warder notes the variety as "very promising as a keeper."
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
View original book sources (2)
— John A. Warder, American Pomology: Apples (1867)Rolen's Keeper.
Received from H. N. Gillett, Lawrence County, Ohio. Origin not given.
Fruit medium, round, regular; Surface rough, splashed red on russet; Dots scattered, small, white.
Basin shallow, regular, leather-cracked; Eye small, closed.
Cavity deep, acute, regular; Stem long, slender.
Core roundish-ovate, regular, closed, clasping; Seeds very numerous, short, plump; Flesh greenish yellow, fine-grained; Flavor acid, rich; Quality good to very good; Use, table; Season, March, April.
Very promising as a keeper.
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Rolen's Keeper. Rowland. Fruit medium, round, regular, splashed red on russet. Dots scattered, small, white. Calyx small, closed. Flesh greenish yellow, fine grained acid, rich. Good to very good. March, April. (Warder.)