PLUMS. 227 



of flavor, and ripening at the same time. In 1837, as Mr. 

 Thompson stated, no plum exceeded this. It hangs long 

 on the tree, improving as it shrivels. 



52. RIVERS'S EARLY. Rivers, Jan. 



A new seedling plum, raised by Mr. Rivers from the 

 Early de Tours ; of medium size ; very fine, and earlier 

 than that variety; the tree hardy and very productive. 



53. *ROYAL HATIVE. 



A new and extraordinary variety, from France. A fruit 

 fully equal to the Green Gage had already been found in 

 the Reine Claude Violette, a purple plum, and ripening at 

 the same time. But in the Royal Hative, a most desirable 

 variety has been discovered, equalling in excellence those 

 before-named varieties, but ripening from two to three 

 weeks earlier, or at a different period of time. In Noi- 

 sette's Manual it is described as a large violet fruit, in fla- 

 vor resembling the Reine Claude Violette. Such is the 

 account of this new fruit, as stated by Mr. Thompson. 

 He adds, that this is distinct from every other variety, ex- 

 cept, perhaps, the Mivian, so called, and probably a syno- 

 nyme of this ; scions of which had been received of M. 

 Stoffels, of Mechlin. The fruit is thus described by him 

 Shoots very downy ; leaves slightly pubescent above ; (two 

 characteristic traits which will always prevent its being 

 confounded with the Reine Claude Violette, whose shoots 

 and leaves are smooth;) fruit larger than the Reine 

 Claude Violette, which it greatly resembles both in flavor 

 and appearance ; in form roundish, but rather broader 

 next the stalk, which is about a half an inch in length, 

 thick, and not inserted in a hollow ; skin purple, dotted, 

 and traced with a golden brown ; flesh yellow, slightly 

 adhering to the stone, but parting from it at maturity ; 

 flavor exceedingly rich ; stone small, ovate, and com- 

 pressed. It ripens early in July. 



54. ROYALE. N. Duh. PI. CCXLII. 



LA ROVAI.E of Hooker s Pom. Land. 



A large, very handsome fruit, diameter eighteen lines ; 

 the skin thick, of a homely, dull brown red, concealed, how- 

 ever, by a thick violet or azure bloom ; the flesh fine, yel- 

 lowish green, firm, and cracking ; juice abundant, high- 

 flavored, and delicious. An excellent plum. September. 



55. *ROYALE DE TOURS. N. Duh. PI. xiu. 

 The fruit is globular, flattened ; its length eighteen lines ; 



