THE DOWNTON CHERRY.
Downton. Hort. Soc. Fruit Cat. no. 34. Trans, vol. v. p . 262.
Formerly we had but two good pale Cherries,
the White-Heart and Bigarreau, both late varieties,
and the first a very uncertain bearer. These are
now represented among our early kinds by the
Elton and Downton, either of which deserves to
be classed in the first rank among cherries.
The Downton is ripe soon after the May Duke;
it bears well as a standard, and in richness of juice
it yields to no Cherry of any season. It was raised
by Mr. Knight, from a seed either of the Waterloo
or Elton, but from which is not certain.
Wood spreading, strong. B uds pointed, ovate.
Leaves moderately large, oblong, acuminate,
pendulous, somewhat waved at the margin, acutely
serrated, rather thin in texture.
Flowers large; stamens weak, unequal, generally
as long as the style; petals obovate, imbricated.
F ruit pale yellowish, much speckled with red,
especially towards the sun, where the red spots run
together. Flesh light yellow, very tender, juicy,
and high-flavoured. It adheres slightly to the
stone.
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