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Commercial Gardening 



DAMSONS AND BULLACES 



Damson. This is a kind of small plum, a cultivated form of Prunus 

 insititia, from which the Bullace is also derived. It is distinguished 

 by oval and not roundish fruits, of a deep blackish -violet colour, with 

 a heavy bloom when ripe. The trees naturally prefer moist situations, 

 such as near the banks of running streams, &c., and they attain a fairly 

 good age before coming into bearing. 



Damsons are often planted round a plantation on the outsides, some- 

 times actually as a hedge. The idea, perhaps, is that from their rough 

 acid flavour, when uncooked, there is less likelihood of the public helping 

 itself. But as they are terribly subject to Aphis attack it is a bad plan, 

 unless the grower makes up his mind to repel the Aphis; if he does not, 

 the whole plantation may be infested from them. A variety named 

 " Damascene " is grown in Worcestershire. Some say it was brought 

 home from Damascus by the Crusaders. Other useful varieties are the 

 " Farleigh Prolific " or " Crittenden ", a heavy cropper, but one that some 

 jam makers will not accept as a Damson. The "King of the Damsons" 

 is a spreading tree, with large fruit, borne singly, not in clusters. Very 

 apt to crack if not gathered in time. [w. G. L.] 



Fig. 365. White Bullace 



