Walpole

Origin / History

Elliott gives "From Massachusetts"; Downing gives Walpole, Mass. Elliott's description is taken from Hovey's Magazine. Elliott appends B. V. French's account of the Sparhawk and says, "We suspect the two identical." According to French, the Sparhawk originated in Walpole, N. H., and is known in the family of Mr. Sparhawk, on whose farm it was found, as the "Gall" Apple. A. de Copen, of Dorchester, introduced it to "our Society," and the Society gave it the name Sparhawk.

Tree

Moderately vigorous. Young wood grayish. French calls the Sparhawk an abundant bearer.

Fruit

Size: Large (Elliott); medium (Downing).

Form: Roundish, tapering to the eye.

Stem: Short.

Cavity: Open (Elliott); large (Downing).

Calyx: Closed.

Basin: Slightly ridged (Elliott); shallow (Downing).

Skin: Yellow, shaded and striped with bright red, the stripes deepest on the side toward the sun.

Dots: Yellowish specks.

Flesh and flavor: Yellowish, tinged with pink; tender, juicy. Flavor "brisk sub-acid" (Elliott); "sprightly subacid" (Downing). Downing rates it "Very good."

Core and seeds: Core large, open. Seeds large.

Season

Last of August and first of September (Downing); August and September (Elliott). French's Sparhawk is ripe September, October, but will keep longer.

Uses

French says of the Sparhawk: "Highly desirable for cooking." He adds that "It will class well with the Twenty ounce Pippin."

Subtypes / Variants

Not described in source.

Other

French's Sparhawk: large apple, oblate; skin smooth and glossy, yellowish ground striped with red; flesh firm, with a sprightly acid. "The size, color, and gloss, serve to give it a desirable appearance."