Shaffer
Apple
USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection
Shaffer
Origin and History
A very old variety said to have originated with a Mr. Bender, near Philadelphia. Approximately forty years prior to Downing's 1900 publication, the late George Shaffer of Allentown, Pennsylvania, obtained grafts and introduced the variety to wider cultivation. Known also as Schaeffer, Bender, Shaffer's Garden, and White King.
Tree
Tree is thrifty and very vigorous, developing a large, spreading top. It bears early and abundantly, though on alternate years.
Fruit
Size and Form: Medium to large, or very large; oblate, very slightly conical.
Stem: Short and small.
Skin: Smooth. Ground color pale greenish yellow or whitish yellow, sometimes with a blush in the sun; marked with a few gray dots.
Cavity: Broad and deep; sometimes exhibits slight russet.
Calyx: Closed or nearly so.
Basin: Rather large, deep, and slightly corrugated.
Flesh: White, half fine in texture, tender, juicy, sprightly subacid, and of good quality.
Core: Medium.
Season and Storage
Mature September through November.
Quality and Uses
Although not a first-class table apple, the Shaffer is highly esteemed where known as a profitable market variety and for culinary purposes. The fruit is fair and of uniform size, making it valuable for commercial production and kitchen use despite its secondary rank for dessert consumption.
Book Sources
Described in 1 period pomological work
View original book sources (1)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Shaffer.
Schaeffer. Bender. Shaffer's Garden. White King.
A very old variety, which is said to have originated with a Mr. Bender, near Philadelphia. Some forty years since, the late George Shaffer, of Allentown, Pa., obtained grafts and introduced it. Tree thrifty, very vigorous, making a large spreading top; an early and abundant bearer on alternate years; the fruit is large, fair, of uniform size, and although not a first class table apple, is highly esteemed, where known, as profitable for market and for culinary purposes.
Fruit medium to large, or very large, oblate, very slightly conical; skin smooth, pale greenish yellow, or whitish yellow, sometimes a blush in the sun, and a few gray dots; stalk short, small; cavity broad, deep, sometimes slight russet; calyx closed or nearly so; basin rather large, deep, slightly corrugated; flesh white, half fine, tender, juicy, sprightly subacid, and of good quality; core medium. September, November.