Downing's Paragon
Apple
Downing's Paragon
Origin / History
Raised by A. G. Downing, near Canton, Ill. (Downing). Elliott and Warder also give Canton, Illinois, as the place of origin.
Tree
Growth upright, not very strong (Downing). Bears regularly and well; a good regular bearer (Elliott); bears annually, productive (Warder).
Fruit
Size: Above medium to large; above medium (Elliott, Downing), large (Warder).
Form: Round ovate, roundish, or round but appearing oblong; regular; flattened at the ends (Elliott) or truncated (Downing).
Stem: Short, slender (Elliott); long (Warder).
Cavity: Deep; acute, irregular (Warder).
Calyx: Half open (Elliott); eye medium, closed (Warder).
Basin: Deep; slightly ribbed (Elliott); abrupt, plaited (Warder).
Skin: Smooth (Warder). Pale yellow with a faint blush (Elliott); light yellow with a sunny cheek (Downing); yellow to golden, slightly bronzed or blushed when fully ripe (Warder).
Dots: Can scarcely be seen while the fruit is immature (Warder).
Flesh and flavor: Yellow (Elliott) or whitish (Downing); crisp, brisk, juicy, slightly sweet (Elliott); very tender (Warder); tender, juicy (Downing). Flavor sweet, rich, aromatic (Warder, Downing). Quality good (Warder); "Good to very good" (Downing); nearly "best" (Elliott).
Core and seeds: Core medium, capsules open, seeds ovate pointed (Elliott). Core very small, oval, closed, meeting the eye; seeds numerous, plump (Warder).
Season
September to December. Elliott ends in November.
Uses
Table (Warder).
Subtypes / Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 3 period pomological works
View original book sources (3)
— F.R. Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865)Paragon. Downing's Paragon. Origin, Canton, Ill. Fruit, above medium, round ovate, flattened at ends ; pale yellow, faint blush ; stem, short, slender : cavity, deep ; calyx, half open ; basin, deep, slightly ribbed ; core, medium ; capsules, open ; seeds, ovate pointed; flesh, yellow, crisp, brisk, juicy, slightly sweet; nearly "best." September to November. Good regular bearer.
— John A. Warder, American Pomology: Apples (1867)Downing's Paragon.
Originated at Canton, Illinois. Tree upright, bears annually, productive.
Fruit large, round, but appearing oblong, regular; Surface smooth, yellow to golden, slightly bronzed or blushed when fully ripe; this and the dots can scarcely be seen while the fruit is immature.
Basin deep, abrupt, plaited; Eye medium, closed.
Cavity deep, acute, irregular; Stem long.
Core very small, oval, closed, meeting the eye; Seeds numerous, plump; Flesh very tender; Flavor sweet, rich, aromatic; Quality good; Use, table; September to December.
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Downing's Paragon. Raised by A. G. Downing, near Canton, Ill. Growth upright, not very strong. Bears regularly and well. Fruit above medium, roundish, truncated. Skin light yellow, with a sunny cheek. Flesh whitish, juicy, tender, sweet, rich, aromatic. Good to very good. September to December.