Mathews

Apple

Mathews Apple

Origin and History Originated on the farm of Hugh Foster, near Alton Depot, Nelson County, Virginia.

Tree Vigorous, with an open spreading head. An early and abundant bearer in alternate years, with a partial crop in the intervening years.

Fruit

Form and Size Medium size, roundish oblate, slightly conic, and regular in form.

Skin Smooth, whitish and almost waxen in appearance. Shaded with pale dull red where exposed to sun. Many large light dots present, some portions almost obscure, with a few areole scattered over the surface.

Stem Short and small.

Cavity Medium size, regular in form.

Calyx Small and closed.

Basin Rather abrupt, deep, and slightly plaited.

Flesh and Flavor White, fine, tender, and juicy. Flavor mild, pleasant, and sprightly subacid.

Core Medium size.

Season October to January.

Uses Not described in source.

Subtypes and Variants Not described in source.

Book Sources

Described in 1 period pomological work

Downing, Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)

Nursery Catalog Sources

Found in 1 catalog (1913) from Illinois

Benjamin Buckman (personal inventory) , Farmingdale , Illinois — 1913

View original book sources (1)

Mathews.

Origin, on the farm of Hugh Foster, near Alton Depot, Nelson Co., Virginia; tree vigorous, with an open spreading head; an early and abundant bearer alternate years, and a partial crop the intervening years.

Fruit medium, roundish oblate, slightly conic, regular; skin smooth, whitish almost waxen, shaded with pale dull red where exposed, many large light dots, a portion almost obscure, a few areole; stalk short, small; cavity medium, regular; calyx small, closed; basin rather abrupt, deep, slightly plaited; flesh white, fine, tender, juicy, mild, pleasant, sprightly subacid; core medium. October, January.

— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)