THE IDA GREEN GAGE. 



179 



" Regarding the qualities of the green 

 gage, I have but to say, that it is equal to 

 the green gage in flavor, superior to it in 

 size and beauty, resembling a handsome 

 red-cheeked nectarine, to recommend it to 

 fruit-growers as worthy of a place in the 

 smallest garden. I do not think I exagger- 

 ate its merits, taking every thing into con- 

 sideration, when I say there is no plum ex- 

 tant superior to it. It is exquisitely beau- 

 tiful, exceedingly luscious in flavor, produc- 

 tive, and hardy. You will, however, be 

 best able to judge of its merits, and describe 

 it, as I send you ripe specimens. Kespect- 

 fully yours, " C. Reagles, Jk. 



" A. J. Downing, Esq." 



We are not willing to give any fruit so 

 high a rank as our correspondent does the 

 present one, without seeing it several sea- 

 sons. We will, however, say that this is 

 a most excellent seedling of the green gage, 

 very strongly resembling it in flavor, and 

 general appearance ; with the distinctive 

 characteristics of larger size, a longer stalk, 

 and a purplish red cheek, instead of the 

 few streaks or dots of purple on the sunny 

 side of the Green Gage. 



It appears to be a distinct sub-variety of 

 the Green Gage, and if, as we are inclined 

 to think likely from all we hear of it, it 

 turns out to be uniformly larger and more 

 productive, it will certainly take a high 

 rank among plums. 



As it is unquestionably the finest seedling 

 fruit among a considerable number that we 



have examined this year, we shall describe 

 it, and let another season's experience set- 

 tle its exact merits. In the mean time, we 

 think there can be little doubt, that it will 

 prove a decided acquisition. 



Fig. 30. The Ida Green Gage. 



Ida Green Gage.* Fruit roundish, 

 strongly resembling the Green Gage in ge- 

 neral appearance, but one-third larger. Su- 

 ture very faintly marked half round. Skin 

 of the colour of the Green Gage, but the 

 sunny side washed with purplish red. Stalk 

 nearly an inch long, rather slender, insert- 

 ed in a very slight depression. Flesh 

 greenish amber, very melting and juicy, 

 separating freely from the stone, and of the 

 sprightly luscious flavor of the old Green 

 Gage. Stone small. It ripens about the 

 same time with the Green Gage, or a few 

 days later. Branches smooth, and the 

 growth of the tree much like that of the 

 Green Gage. 



Liquid Manure. — The papers occasionally 

 contain accounts of interesting and success- 

 ful experiments with liquid manure. It is 

 indeed very valuable ; but we believe, says 

 Mr. J. J. Thomas, that a large share of the 

 advantages result from the simple watering 

 which the plants thus obtain. The manure 

 itself should not, by any means, have all the 



credit, as we very well know from expe- 

 rience, that a single irrigation of garden 

 plants has increased their growth to an ex- 

 tent hardly to be expected from the most 

 copious manuring. 



* We propose to call this " Ida Green Gage," instead of 

 simply '' Ida Gage," to show its character; and that il is a 

 sub-variety, and not in all respects an entirely disihict sort. 



