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 before 1900, George Shaffer of Allentown, Pennsylvania obtained grafts and introduced the variety.
Historical names: Schaeffer, Shaffer's Garden, Bender, White King
Tree
Thrifty and very vigorous, making a large spreading top. An early and abundant bearer, fruiting on alternate years. Although not esteemed as a first-class table apple, the variety is highly valued where known for market sales and culinary purposes.
Fruit
Size: Medium to large, or very large
Form: Oblate, very slightly conical
Skin: Smooth; pale greenish yellow or whitish yellow in base color, sometimes showing a blush in the sun; a few gray dots distributed over the surface
Stalk: Short and small
Cavity: Broad and deep, sometimes with slight russet
Calyx: Closed or nearly so
Basin: Rather large, deep, and slightly corrugated
Flesh: White, half fine texture, tender, juicy, sprightly subacid, of good quality
Core: Medium
Season
September to November
Uses
Profitable for market sales; culinary purposes
Subtypes or Variants
Not described in source
Other
Not described in source
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.