Dr. Matthews

Origin and History

Dr. Matthews is a comparatively new apple variety in Indiana, having been grown since 1899 in the orchards of the Indiana Experiment Station, where it was received from an unknown source in a shipment of nursery stock. The variety holds the seal of approval of the Indiana Experiment Station and of the Indiana Horticultural Society. Its true origin remains in doubt. Fruit-growers in Indiana speak very highly of this variety, with its distinguishing characteristics being high quality and extended keeping ability.

Tree

The tree is large, upright spreading, and dense, with very vigorous, healthy growth.

Fruit

Size and Form: Medium, uniform; roundish oblate, regular, with sides slightly unequal yet uniform.

Color and Skin: Dull yellowish green, blushed and washed with bronze red, with a prevailing effect of yellowish green. Skin thin, tough, smooth, dull, and waxen. Dots pronounced, numerous, varying from large to small, more numerous at the basin, submerged, and areolar in character.

Cavity and Stem: Cavity acuminate, deep, medium width, sometimes slightly russeted, often compressed. Stem medium length, slender, pubescent, and green.

Basin and Calyx: Basin medium to deep, medium width, abrupt, smooth, with a tendency to be compressed. Calyx open to partly closed, large. Lobes long, leafy, acute, and narrow. Calyx-tube conical, short, and wide. Stamens basal.

Core and Seeds: Core medium, with lines clasping and axile. Cells symmetrical and closed. Carpels elliptical and mucronate. Seeds medium sized, long, plump, acute, and dark brown.

Flesh and Flavor: Flesh firm, fine, crisp, tender, cream white, and juicy. Flavor very mild, subacid, sprightly, and aromatic, with quality rating very good to best.

Season

Ripens in August or September, harvested last of August, and keeps in storage until February or April.

Uses

Dessert.

Subtypes and Variants

Not described in source.

Other

Not described in source.