Narrative
Type = Sweet Cherry. Per Hedrick* (see citation): "Napolean is of unknown origin. Early in the Eighteenth Century it was grown by the Germans, French, Dutch and English, proof that it is a very old variety...good for culinary purposes and for canning...cracks badly in wet weather...susceptible to brown rot in the eastern U.S....Tree: large, vigorous,upright-spreading,open topped, very productive; Leaves: numerous, five and 3/4 inches long, 2 1/2 inches wide, folded upward, elliptical to obovate; petiole 1 1/4 inches long with from 1 to 3 large, reniform, reddish-orange glands, usually on the stalk; Buds: variable in size, conical, free, arranged singly or in thin clusters from lateral buds and from spurs; Flowers: white; Petals: oval; Fruit: matures in mid-season, over one inch in diameter, conical to long-cordate, compressed; cavity deep; suture a distinct line; apex much pointed; color, varying shades of bright red over a yellowish background, distinctly mottled; skin thin, rather adherent; flesh whitish with a faint yellow tinge, with colorless juice, tender, meaty, crisp, mild, the flavor improving as the season advances, seet; good to very good in quality; stone semi-clinging." (*note: Text not in full. See The Cherries of New York for full info)