154 Descriptions of Select Varieties of Plums. 



actly corresponded. Subsequently to this, the account of 

 Smith's Orleans, before alluded to, was published. The fact 

 that all the Smith's Orleans have proved to be like ours, and 

 also the fact, which came out in Mr. Prince's reply, that it 

 was a cling, and not a free stone, and the circumstance that 

 our tree was received about the same time that the published 

 account appeared in the Po7n. Manual, convinced us that the 

 Smith's Orleans was but a new synonyme of the Cooper. 

 Other peculiarities, such as the luxuriance of the tree, which 

 Coxe mentions, and also a disposition of the fruit to rot, were 

 sufficient to prove, to any pomologist, that it could be no other 

 than the Cooper. 



We had intended, some time ago, to have prepared an arti- 

 cle upon the subject, in order to establish the correct name of 

 this plum ; but, we trust, though late, the confusion which 

 has so long existed may now be cleared up. 



The Cooper is one of the largest of our blue plums, of hand- 

 some appearance, and of excellent quality. The tree bears to a 

 fault ; so much so, that the fruit, which quite clothe the branch- 

 es, press upon each other so as to cause their decay, especially 

 in wet weather. The tree is remarkably luxuriant, often pro- 

 ducing shoots eight feet long in a season, with few lateral 

 branches or spurs, and it may readily be distinguished, by its 

 peculiar growth, from other plum trees. 



Fruit, large, about two and a quarter inches long, and two 

 inches in diameter, of oval oblong form, largest at the base, 

 narrowing a little to the apex, which is distinctly depressed, 

 with a distinct suture extending half round : Skin, rich deep 

 purplish red, paler in the shade, covered with small, golden 

 specks, and a rich azure bloom, which is easily rubbed off: 

 Stem, short, about half an inch long, slender, and deeply in- 

 serted in a very large cavity : Flesh, yellow, tender, and 

 closely adhering to the stone : Juice, plentiful, with a sprightly, 

 vinous, and excellent flavor : Stone, large, thick, ovate. Ripe 

 end of August and beginning of September. 



Wood, strong, stout, nearly smooth. 



8. Thomas. Mag. of Hart., Vol. VII. p. 388. 



The Thomas plum {fig. 17,) originated in the garden of 

 Wm. Thomas, Esq., of Boston, and the tree first produced 



