888 YEARBOOK OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Abundance, and Chabot planted with it for cross pollination. The erect 

 habit of the tree and the peculiar character of foliage have been con- 

 sidered by Bailey and Waugh as evidence that the Simon plum (Pru- 

 nus simonii) entered into its parentage, and there is much to support 

 this view. The writer sees no reason to doubt that Kelsey was the 

 seed parent, however, as stated by the originator, both in correspond- 

 ence and in his original description of the variety. 



This tree has been largely planted in certain localities in California, 

 and the fruit of it grown in that State has been found to bring very 

 high prices on the Eastern markets in the fresh state. 



DOWNING GRAPE. 



(SYNONYMS: Charles Downing; Ricketts No. 1. ) 

 [PLATE L.I 



Most of the native grapes thus far developed have been found defi- 

 cient in keeping quality. In this respect they are distinctly inferior 

 to many varieties of Vitis vinifera grown in the Old World and upon 

 the Pacific coast. One of the most notable exceptions is the Downing, 

 which originated with Mr. James H. Ricketts at Newburgh, N. Y., 

 about 1870, as a hybrid of Israella and Muscat Hamburg. It first 

 attracted public notice in 1873, when it was exhibited at the Boston 

 meeting of the American Pomological Society, and again in 1875, when 

 it was examined with other seedlings on the grounds of the originator 

 by a committee of the American Pomological Society, composed of 

 J. J. Thomas, Charles Downing, and Patrick Barry, and favorably 

 reported on 1 under the designation " Ricketis No. 1" It was subse- 

 quently named " Charles Downing" by Mr. Ricketts in honor of his 

 neighbor, the distinguished pomologist. It was introduced by Mr. 

 J. G. Burrow, of Newburgh, N. Y., in 1883, and considerably dissemi- 

 nated among amateurs. It has not attained prominence as a market 

 sort. The cluster described and illustrated on PL L was grown by Mr. 

 C. C. Corbey, at Montclair, N. J. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Cluster large to very large, moderate!} 7 loose, sometimes shouldered; 

 berry medium to large, roundish oval; skin rather thick; color brownish 

 black with a thin, light bloom ; flesh tender, breaking, juicy ; seeds 

 of medium size, two or three to the berry ; flavor mild, sweet and 

 sprightly; quality very good; season late; an excellent keeper and 

 shipper. 



The vine is a vigorous grower with healthy foliage. It is somewhat 

 subject to mildew in unfavorable seasons, and should be thoroughly 

 sprayed whenever that disease is prevalent. 



. Am. Pom. Soc., 1875, pp. 112-114. 



