DOWNER CHERRY. 



thirty seedlings, several of which have no superior, and but few equals. 

 Other pomologists have, later, turned their attention to the cherry, and 

 we may now safely challenge the old world to produce a dozen as fine 

 varieties as the new. 



The Downer originated in the garden of the late Samuel Downer, of 

 Dorchester, Mass., and the original tree is still standing, a specimen of 

 vigorous old age, in the garden of his son. It was raised nearly fifty 

 years ago, and has never, we believe, failed to produce a larger or smaller 

 crop since it began to bear, though the tree has been cleared of its 

 young wood, time and time again, so popular has been this variety, and 

 so liberally were the scions distributed by the owner. 



It was about the year 1830, that Mr. Downer first published a notice 

 of this cherry, which he called his Native Mazzard. In the account 

 which he then gave of it, he stated that it was " a constant and great 

 bearer, and has not failed to yield abundantly each season for the last 

 ten years ; tree does not run up like the mazzard, but is formed more 

 lilve the May Duke ; ripens late, same time as common mazzard ; on 

 this account it is more valuable: stands high with the marketman, 

 and commands a good price. I planted the stone of the above men- . 

 tioned tree twenty-two years ago. It has never been moved from the 

 place where it originally sprung up." 



Tree. — Vigorous, upright, little spreading, with the branches diverg- 

 ing at a broad angle ; annual shoots rather short, but moderately stout. 



Wood. — Clear light brown, shghtly covered with a thin, grayish 

 epidermis, short-jointed, stout; old wood, pale brown; buds, medium 

 size, ovate, diverging, with small shoulders. 



Leaves. — Medium size, oblong ovate, rather narrow, about four 

 inches long and two inches wide, broadest in the middle, tapering to 

 each end, sharply pointed, deep green, unequally and doubly serrated ; 

 petioles, medium length, more than an inch long, with two ovate, dark 

 red glands near the base of the leaf. 



Flowers. — Small ; petals roundish, cupped ; style and stamens about 

 equal length. 



Fruit. — Medium size, about seven eighths of an inch broad, and 

 three quarters of an inch long : Form, roundish heai't-shaped : Skin, 

 clear light red, of a semi-transparent appearance, and beautifully mottled 

 with amber in the shade : Stem, medium length, about one and a half 

 inches long, rather slender, and inserted in a small shallow cavity: 

 Flesh, dark amber colored, very tender and melting : Juice, plentiful, 

 brisk, sweet, delicious, and high flavored : Stone, roundish oval. 



Ripe from the first to the middle of July. 



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