248 



THE FLORIST. 



8. Goliath. 



Synonyms : Steer's Emperor, Saint Cloud, Caledonian, Wil- 

 mot, Late Orleans, Nectarine (of some). 



Fruit very large, rounded oblong, and slightly flattened at the 

 ends, and enlarged on one side of the suture, which is strongly 

 marked, and extends from the stalk to the apex. Stalks three- 

 fourths of an inch long, stout, and set in a deep hollow. Flesh 

 orange, coarse-grained, but juicy and sweet, with an agreeable acid 

 flavour, and adheres to the rough side of the stone. Ripens at the 

 end of August, and soon decays. 



The Goliath is considered a coarse Plum ; but still it is a useful 

 kind both for pastry and preserving. The trees make strong downy 

 shoots, with large crimped foliage, and bear well as open standards. 



9. Reine Claude de Bavay. 



This new Plum was intro- 

 duced from France about eight 

 years ago, and was reported to 

 be equal to the Green Gage. 

 Although it does not prove so 

 rich as that variety, it neverthe- 

 less is equally valuable in a col- 

 lection, owing to its lateness in 

 ripening and hanging a long 

 time on the tree. The fruit is a 

 little above the middie size, 

 roundish, having a slight suture 

 near the stalk. Skin clear pale 

 yellow, shaded with green near 

 the base, and thinly dusted with 

 pale bloom. Stalk varying from 

 half to three-fourths of an inch 

 long, and set in a small even 

 cavity. Flesh yellow, tender, juicy, and rich, and if well matured, 

 parts freely from the stone. A dessert Plum, ripening the end of 

 September, and will hang a month on 

 the tree ; it thrives remarkably well as a 

 standard, but the fruit is much improved 

 by having the advantage of a wall ; it will 

 also hang longer on the tree, more par- 

 ticularly if the aspect of the wall is op- 

 posite to that of the prevailing rains of 

 autumn. The trees are of strong and 

 healthy habit, with large, broad, dark- 

 green, glossy foliage, and brownish-red 

 smooth shoots, — very hardy and fruitful 

 even in a young state. 

 10. Royal Hdtive. 



Synonyms : Miviam, Early Royal. 



Fruit below the middle size, of a 



roundish oval figure, narrowing towards 



