230 NEW AMERICAN ORCHARDIST. 



Orleans ; as early as the Morocco, and Precoce de Tours, 

 as large as the Old Orleans, and more juicy ; a certain bear- 

 er; a fruit above the middle size, round, its suture deep; 

 dark purple next the sun, and covered with bloom ; the flesh 

 greenish yellow, of excellent flavor, sweet combined with 

 a pleasant acid ; it separates from the stone. Mr. Hooker 

 considers this plum as decidedly superior to any of its 

 season at present cultivated. Its beautiful appearance will 

 obtain it a preference in the market. Branches downy. 



68. SLOE. London. 

 PRUNUS SPINOSA. 



A thorny tree, a wild plum of Britain. The fruit is 

 small, very black, and astringent. The ripe fruit is excel- 

 lent to preserve; unripe, the inspissated juice forms the 

 German acacia, and affords an ink almost indelible for 

 marking on linen. The juice is used mixed with various 

 wines, to communicate the dark red color and rough taste 

 of Port wine. The leaves are employed to adulterate the 

 tea of China. 



69. DWARF TEXAS PLUM. Mr. Russell. 



A low, dwarfish tree or shrub, rising 2 or 3 feet or more; 

 the blossoms white, profuse, of a beautiful appearance, and 

 in early spring resembling snow ; the fruit of different 

 colors, according to the variety, some being yellow, some 

 red, and some purple; the flesh of delicious flavor; the 

 produce most abundant. This new tree, or shrub, was lately 

 introduced to our country from a small district in the colder 

 part of Texas, and the upper Colorado, by my friend John 

 B. Russell, Esq., of Cincinnati, Ohio. He is persuaded it 

 must prove hardy. 



CULTIVATION, &c. 



The plum tree flourishes best in a rich, sandy loam, 

 neither too dry nor too moist. A cold, wet, clayey soil, or 

 a dry, sandy situation, is not deemed so favorable. 



The varieties of plum are inoculated on the plum stock. 

 Those raised from the seed are preferred, and some varie- 

 ties will flourish on the peach stock ; but this is not deemed 

 so suitable for a very high northern latitude. 



