118 MR. THOMPSON ON THE JEFFERSON PLUM. 



sirable from a specimen, produced on a standard, to which the 

 rest on the tree were very similar. 



It appears from Mr. Downing's ' Fruits and Fruit-Trees of 

 America,' recently published, that the Jefferson Plum was raised 

 by the late Judge Buel, and that the original tree was growing 

 in his garden near Albany. The judicious author of the above- 

 mentioned work says, " If we were asked which we think the 

 most desirable and beautiful of all dessert plums, we should un- 

 doubtedly give the name of this variety.*' No one can read 

 this statement without recollecting the well-known excellence of 

 the Green Gage, and questioning whether, in point of flavour, it 

 can possibly be equalled by the variety under consideration To 

 say that the Green Gage under the most favourable circumstances 

 for acquiring perfection would be surpassed, might prove an 

 exaggeration. That remains to be determined. In the mean 

 time it can be stated that in the past unfavourable season, in 

 wliich only tliere has been an opportimity for comparison, the 

 Jefferson was found decidedly superior to the Green Gage. 



Fruit large, roundish- oval ; stalk about an inch in length. 

 Skin dark yellow, remarkably speckled with purple and brownish 

 red. Flesh deep orange, slightly adhering to the stone, juicy, 

 exceedingly rich and sugary. Stone middle sized, elliptic. Ripe 

 in the third week of September ; but in ordinary seasons it will 

 probably attain perfection about a fortnight earlier. The tree 

 appears to be a great bearer as a standard. Shoots smooth, or 

 but partially and very slightly downy, of an upright growth. 

 Leaves middle sized, elliptical, glabrous above, serrated or 

 acutely crenated. 



In rich soil, or against a wall, where it well deserves to be 

 placed, this variety would doubtless attain a much larger size 

 than is here represented. It will afford a later supply than the 

 Green Gage ; for it has the property of hanging for a consider- 

 able time on the tree after being ripe. In strongly recommend- 

 ing it for extensive cultivation, the circumstance of its having 

 proved so good in a cold wet season like the past is not to be 

 overlooked ; it leads to the inference that the tree may be advan- 

 tageously cultivated in situations where many hitherto known 

 varieties cannot acquire any tolerable degree of flavour. What 

 fruit can be worse than bad plums? The most effectual means 

 of driving such out of cultivation is the introduction of good and 

 productive varieties. 



