Downing's Paragon
Apple
Downing's Paragon
Origin/History
Downing's Paragon originated at Canton, Illinois. According to Downing (1900), the variety was raised by A. G. Downing near Canton.
Tree
All three sources concur that the tree is upright in growth habit and a reliable, regular bearer. Warder (1867) describes it as productive and bearing annually. Downing (1900) notes that growth, while upright, is not very strong, and that the tree bears regularly and well.
Fruit
Size and Form
Warder (1867) describes the fruit as large, while Elliott (1865) and Downing (1900) place it as above medium. All sources describe a broadly roundish form with some degree of flattening: Warder notes it is round but appearing oblong, and regular; Downing describes it as roundish and truncated; Elliott gives it as round ovate, flattened at ends.
Stem
The sources conflict on stem length. Warder (1867) describes the stem as long, while Elliott (1865) calls it short and slender.
Cavity
Warder (1867) describes the cavity as deep, acute, and irregular. Elliott (1865) notes it as deep. The two sources agree on depth.
Calyx and Basin
The sources conflict on the calyx. Warder (1867) describes the eye as medium and closed; Elliott (1865) gives the calyx as half open.
The basin is described as deep by both Warder (1867) and Elliott (1865). Warder adds that it is abrupt and plaited; Elliott describes it as slightly ribbed.
Skin
Warder (1867) describes the skin as smooth, yellow to golden, slightly bronzed or blushed when fully ripe, noting that both the ground color and the dots can scarcely be seen while the fruit is immature. Downing (1900) gives the skin as light yellow with a sunny cheek. Elliott (1865) describes it as pale yellow with a faint blush. The sources broadly agree on a pale to golden yellow ground with a light blush or bronzing on the sunny side.
Flesh and Flavor
The sources conflict on flesh color and texture. Downing (1900) gives the flesh as whitish; Elliott (1865) describes it as yellow. On texture, Warder (1867) calls the flesh very tender, and Downing (1900) calls it tender, while Elliott (1865) describes it as crisp — a notable disagreement.
On juiciness, Downing and Elliott both describe the flesh as juicy. Warder (1867) gives the flavor as sweet, rich, and aromatic; Downing (1900) concurs with sweet, rich, and aromatic; Elliott (1865) characterizes the flavor as brisk, juicy, and slightly sweet — a somewhat different flavor impression, emphasizing briskness over richness.
Core and Seeds
The sources conflict on core. Warder (1867) describes the core as very small, oval, and closed, meeting the eye. Elliott (1865) describes the core as medium and gives the capsules as open — conflicting with Warder on both size and closure.
Warder (1867) describes the seeds as numerous and plump. Elliott (1865) describes the seeds as ovate and pointed.
Season
Warder (1867) and Downing (1900) both give the season as September to December. Elliott (1865) gives September to November.
Uses
Warder (1867) gives the use as table.
Quality
Quality assessments differ across sources: Warder (1867) rates it good; Downing (1900) rates it good to very good; Elliott (1865) places it at nearly "best."
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 3 period pomological works
View original book sources (3)
— 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.
— 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.