Dr. Watson
Apple
Dr. Watson
Origin / History
Dr. Watson was for a long time a puzzle to the pomologists. In the meanwhile it must have a name, and without waiting for the decision of the learned, the people in different sections, without consultation, called it the Autumn Seek-no-further. Finally the Horticultural Societies decided that it was an old sort named Doctor Watson, though upon what authority does not appear. It is much grown in Central and Eastern Indiana, particularly among the Friends. It has not been recognized by Eastern friends, nor by the American Pomological Society, to which it was referred in 1860.
Tree
The tree is large and spreading, and very productive. The twigs are slender. The foliage is small and pale green. In the nursery it is a poor grower.
Fruit
Size: Medium to large, unless when too crowded.
Form: Regular, oblate, sometimes unequal.
Stem: Medium to short.
Cavity: Wide, regular or wavy, brown.
Calyx: The eye is medium and open.
Basin: Abrupt, rather deep, wide, regular, sometimes cracked.
Skin: Smooth. Mixed pale and red on waxen-yellow, beautifully splashed with scarlet.
Dots: Minute.
Flesh and flavor: Yellow, fine-grained, very tender and juicy, almost melting, with a rich, aromatic, sub-acid flavor. Quality best, for table and kitchen.
Core and seeds: Core medium, regular, closed, just meeting the eye. Axis short. Seeds plump.
Season
Quality best, for table and kitchen, from September to November.
Uses
This delicious and beautiful dessert apple is best for table and kitchen. It is also valuable for stock feeding.
Subtypes / Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 1 period pomological work
Nursery Catalog Sources
Found in 2 catalogs (1901–1913) from Illinois
- Benjamin Buckman (personal inventory) , Farmingdale , Illinois — 1901
- Benjamin Buckman (personal inventory) , Farmingdale , Illinois — 1913
View original book sources (1)
— John A. Warder, American Pomology: Apples (1867)Dr. Watson.
AUTUMN SEEK-NO-FURTHER OF INDIANA.
This delicious and beautiful dessert apple is much grown in Central and Eastern Indiana, particularly among the Friends. It was for a long time a puzzle to the pomologists. In the meanwhile it must have a name, and without waiting for the decision of the learned, the people in different sections, without consultation, called it the Autumn Seek-no-further. Finally the Horticultural Societies decided that it was an old sort named Doctor Watson, though upon what authority does not appear. The fruit has not been recognized by our Eastern friends, nor by the American Pomological Society, to which it was referred in 1860.
Tree large, spreading, very productive; Twigs slender, foliage small, pale green; in the nursery it is a poor grower.
Fruit medium to large, unless when too crowded, regular, oblate, sometimes unequal; Surface smooth, mixed pale and red on waxen-yellow, beautifully splashed with scarlet; Dots minute.
Basin abrupt, rather deep, wide, regular, sometimes cracked; Eye medium, open.
Cavity wide, regular or wavy, brown; Stem medium to short.
Core medium, regular, closed, just meeting the eye; Axis short; Seeds plump; Flesh yellow, fine-grained, very tender and juicy, almost melting, with a rich, aromatic, sub-acid flavor; Quality best, for table and kitchen, from September to November; also valuable for stock feeding.