Cornell Research Foundation Inc.

Kenneth G Livermore

Susan K Brown

Roger D Way

Robert L Andersen

David E Terry

John P Watson, Deceased

A new distinctive cultivar of sweet cherry (Prunus avium) named `Somerset` (formerly tested as NY 6476) which is exceptional in combining 1) firm, highly attractive fruit that resist rain induced fruit cracking, 2) a tree habit that branches more profusely than many other cultivars and which facilitates precocious cropping, and 3) having a unique affinity of genetic compatibility with some hybrid cherry rootstock cultivars that cause genetic incompatibility and early decline in many other scion cultivars.

Sweet cherry cultivar named `Somerset`

A new distinctive cultivar of sour cherry (Prunus cersus) which is exceptional in combining 1) high quality, totally red fruit, 2) a tree habit that has fewer lateral and secondary lateral branches than many other cultivars and which facilitates ease of hand harvesting, and 3) having a unique late season anthesis of its flowers so that they evade spring frost damage. The cultivar is named `Surefire` and was tested as NY 12716.

Sour cherry cultivar named `Surefire`

A new and distinct variety of sweet cherry tree which produces large and firm fruit having rich, strong cherry flavor, crisp flesh and which contain large stones of round to round-conic shape. The fruit has exceptionally high levels of soluble solids at ripeness. A seeding of `NY1725`, the tree is particularly characterized as being self-unfertile, late coming into production, but which bears dark, sweet fruit that is resistant to water stress induced cracking. This vigorous tree is of upright branching habit, forms a tall pyramidal figure, and shows resistance to bacterial canker.

Sweet cherry cultivar named `Royalton`

A new distinct cultivar of sweet cherry (Prunus avium) which is exceptional in combining 1) ability to bear consistently large crops, 2) having wide pollenizer utility, and 3) having a uniquely spreading moderately drooping tree form. The cultivar is named `Hartland` and was tested as NY 3308.

Sweet cherry cultivar named `Hartland`

A new distinctive cultivar of apple (Malus Xdomestica) which is exceptional in combining the desirable appearance of `Empire` with much larger fruit size, and the processing quality of `Northern Spy` without the production problems of `Northern Spy`. It offers growers and consumers a large attractive fruit that can be used fresh or for cooking. The cultivar is named `Fortune` and was tested as NY 429.

Apple cultivar `Fortune`

A new distinctive cultivar of plum (Prunus domestica) named `Castleton` (formerly tested as NY 66.609.4) which is exceptional in combining (1) high quality, attractive dark purple fruit capable of achieving in mid-August sufficient color for commercial fresh markets, (2), a tree habit that has fewer lateral and secondary lateral branches than other competing commercial cultivars and which facilitates ease of harvesting, and (3) fruit quality and pit conformation traits coupled with consistent, high yield potential which favor it for commercial processing uses.

Growing community of inventors

Geneva, NY, United States of America

Kenneth G Livermore