138 



THE DOWNTON CHERRY. 



Downton. Hoj-t. Soc. Fruit Cat. tio. 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. Buds pointed, ovate. 



Leaves moderately large, oblong, acuminate, 

 pendulous, somewhat waved at the margin, acutely 

 serrated, rather thin in texture. 



Flowers large; stamens weak, unequal, gene- 

 rally as long as the style; petals obovate, im- 

 bricated. 



Fruit 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. 



