The Domestica Plums 27 



There is, however, one type among the Domes- 

 ticas which almost fulfills the popular notion of a 

 "blue plum." This is the Diamond type, represented 

 also by such varieties as Kingston, Quackenboss, Blue 

 Imperatrice, Shipper, St. Lawrence and Arctic. These 

 varieties are characterized by having fruit mostly 

 large, oval, very slightly compressed sidewise, dark 

 blue, with heavy blue bloom, flesh generally yellow, 

 very firm, usually clinging to the stone. 



These plums are mostly good shippers and good 

 bearers, and, though not of high quality, they are 

 usually successful in the open, undiscriminating mar- 

 ket. They are to the plums what Ben Davis and Gano 

 are to the apples. 



The Bradshaw type. — After we leave the Dia- 

 mond type we are drawing pretty fine distinctions, yet 

 it seems possible to group together roughly some of 

 the varieties commonly known as "red plums." The 

 Bradshaw serves best as a type of these varieties, 

 which are all characterized by having large, slightly 

 obovate fruit, which is purplish, and has distinct pink- 

 ish dots. The varieties also have a thin skin and a 

 comparatively soft, juicy flesh. They are popular for 

 home use and for market. 



Along with Bradshaw there should be referred 

 to this type such varieties as Victoria, Pond, Field, 

 Duane Purple, Oswego and Giant Prune. 



The Lombard type. — Probably the thinnest dis- 

 tinction of all is to be made betwixt the Bradshaw and 

 the Lombard type. The latter, however, differs from 

 the former in having fruit generally smaller, more 

 regularly oval, very slightly compressed sidewise. 

 pinkish-purple, or purplish. The varieties which I 

 would refer to this type, rather than to the preceding, 

 are Lombard, Communia, Voronesh 20 of Budd, 

 Leipsic of Budd, Prince of Wales, Merunka. 



