Origin: in Glenn Dale, Md., by George M. Darrow and George F. Waldo, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. Introd. in 1930. Missionary × Howard 17; cross made in 1923 by Geo. M. Darrow; selected in 1925; tested as U.S.D.A. 659; preserving tests by C.P. Lathrop, National Preservers' Assn.; field and shipping tests by Charles Dearing, North Carolina Agr. Expt. Sta. Tree: superior vigor, somewhat more so than Missionary; runners produced freely; flower perfect; resistant to leaf spot, verticillium wilt, leaf scorch; well-adapted to hill culture; adapted to southern states; very productive; grown on a wide range of soil types. Named for Marcus Blakemore, first president of the National Preservers' Assn. Fruit: size medium; blunt conic, shoulder broad; skin bright light red, slightly glossy, very attractive, fairly tough; hull reflexed, size medium, easily hulled; achenes fairly small, yellow or greenish-yellow, even with surface; flesh firm, light red, not darkening on holding, rarely with a cavity, juicy, acid, high pectin content, very good flavor and dessert quality; very good for preserving; easily picked; ripens somewhat before Missionary and about 2 weeks before Howard 17.
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