Doux d'Argent

Origin/History

Doux d'Argent is of supposed French origin, according to Downing. A trial planting was established at the Central Experimental Farm at Agassiz, British Columbia, in spring 1895.

Tree

Downing describes the tree as vigorous and productive, with straight, downy young shoots. The Central Experimental Farm trial at Agassiz recorded the tree as a moderate grower — a conflict with Downing's characterization of vigor.

Fruit

Size: Medium.

Form: Downing describes the fruit as oblate and conical. The Central Experimental Farm describes it as roundish and flattened. These accounts are in partial conflict on shape: oblate and flattened are consistent, but Downing's "conical" and the CEF's "roundish" differ.

Stem: Not described in source.

Cavity: Not described in source.

Calyx: Not described in source.

Basin: Not described in source.

Skin: Downing describes the skin as waxen yellow, with bright red coloring developing in the sun. The Central Experimental Farm describes the skin as greenish yellow, sprinkled with whitish dots. The CEF account adds the detail of whitish dots not mentioned by Downing; the base color descriptions differ slightly (waxen yellow vs. greenish yellow). Neither source mentions russet or bloom.

Flesh and Flavor: Downing describes the flesh as white, firm, crisp, not very juicy, and partially sweet. The Central Experimental Farm describes the flesh as firm and juicy, mildly sub-acid, with a pleasant flavour, and rates the quality as good. The two accounts conflict on juiciness (Downing: not very juicy; CEF: juicy) and on flavor character (Downing: partially sweet; CEF: mildly sub-acid).

Core/Seeds: Not described in source.

Season

December and January (Downing). The Central Experimental Farm records the season as Winter, consistent with Downing.

Uses

Not described in source.

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in source.

Other

Not described in source.