Walpole

Walpole Apple

Origin/History

Originated in Walpole, Massachusetts, according to both Downing and Elliott (the latter citing Hovey's Magazine as the source of the primary description). Elliott separately raises the possibility that the Walpole is identical to the Sparhawk apple, which is said to have originated in Walpole, New Hampshire, on the farm of a Mr. Sparhawk, where it was known locally as the "Gall" Apple. The Sparhawk was introduced to the horticultural society by A. de Copen of Dorchester, and the society assigned it the Sparhawk name. Elliott presents this identification as a suspicion rather than a certainty: "We suspect the two identical."

Tree

Moderately vigorous (Downing). Young wood grayish (Downing). Not further described in either source.

Fruit

Size: Downing describes the fruit as medium; Elliott describes it as large. The sources disagree on this point.

Form: Roundish (both sources). Elliott adds that the fruit tapers to the eye.

Skin: Yellow ground, shaded and striped with bright red (Downing); yellow with bright red stripes deepest in the sun, and yellowish specks (Elliott).

Stem: Short (both sources).

Cavity: Large (Downing); open (Elliott).

Calyx: Closed (both sources).

Basin: Shallow (Downing); slightly ridged (Elliott).

Core: Large, open (Elliott). Not described by Downing.

Seeds: Large (Elliott). Not described by Downing.

Flesh/Flavor: Yellowish, tender, juicy, sprightly subacid (Downing); yellowish tinged with pink, tender, juicy, brisk sub-acid (Elliott). Both sources agree on texture and flavor character; Elliott adds the pink tinge.

Quality: Very good (Downing).

Season

Last of August and first of September (Downing); August and September (Elliott).

Uses

Not described in source.

Subtypes/Variants

Elliott notes the possible identity of Walpole with the Sparhawk apple. The Sparhawk description supplied by B.V. French is as follows: large, oblate; skin smooth and glossy; color yellowish ground striped with red; abundant bearer; flesh firm with a sprightly acid; highly desirable for cooking; ripe September and October but will keep longer. Elliott notes that "the size, color, and gloss serve to give it a desirable appearance" and that it "will class well with the Twenty Ounce Pippin." If the two varieties are indeed identical, the Sparhawk description adds the following details not present in the Walpole descriptions: oblate form (vs. roundish), smooth and glossy skin, firm flesh (vs. tender), abundant bearing habit, and suitability for keeping into October or beyond.

Other

Not described in source.