Downing's Paragon
Apple
Downing's Paragon
Origin/History
Raised by A. G. Downing near Canton, Illinois (Downing). Warder gives the origin simply as Canton, Illinois.
Tree
Growth upright. Warder describes the tree as productive and bearing annually. Downing notes growth is "not very strong" but that the tree bears regularly and well.
Fruit
Size and Form: Warder describes the fruit as large, round but appearing oblong, and regular in form. Downing gives the size as above medium, the form as roundish and truncated.
Stem: Long (Warder).
Cavity: Deep, acute, irregular (Warder).
Calyx/Eye: Medium, closed (Warder).
Basin: Deep, abrupt, plaited (Warder).
Skin: Smooth; color light yellow to golden, with a sunny or slightly bronzed cheek when fully ripe (both sources). Warder notes that both the blush and the dots are scarcely visible while the fruit is immature.
Flesh and Flavor: Flesh whitish, juicy, and very tender; flavor sweet, rich, and aromatic (both sources, with Downing adding whitish and juicy). Quality rated good (Warder) to good/very good (Downing).
Core and Seeds: Core very small, oval, closed, meeting the eye; seeds numerous and plump (Warder).
Season
September to December (both sources).
Uses
Table (Warder).
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
View original book sources (2)
— 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.