292 THE PLTJM. 



Branches smooth. Fruit purple, oval, of medium size, sepa- 

 rates from the stone, of second quality, ripens at the end of 

 September, and a great bearer. 



Coxe describes it as ripening in August, and of the largest 

 size. 



The following is Lindley's description of La Deliceuse, which 

 we give in order to assist in identifying the two, if they prove 

 really distinct. Branches long and smooth. Fruit oval, about 

 two inches long, and one and three quarters in diameter. Su- 

 ture rather broad, shallow, swelled a little more on one side 

 than on the other. Stalk an inch long, slender, slightly inserted. 

 Skin pale yellow on the shaded side, but in the sun deep purple, 

 full of brown specks. Flesh yellow, and separates from the 

 stone. Juice peculiarly rich and abundant. Ripe in October, 

 with the Imperatrice. 



45. COLUMBIA. 



Columbian Gage. 



A noble plum, a contemporary of the Lawrence's Favourite, 

 already described, and like that, raised by Mr. Lawrence, of 

 Hudson, from a pit of the Green Gage. It is a superb looking, 

 and a rich flavoured variety undoubtedly one of the finest of 

 the large dark coloured 

 plums. The tree is re- 

 markable for its very 

 stout blunt shoots, large 

 roundish leaves, and 

 the spreading horizontal 

 form of its head. It is 

 also highly productive. 

 Branches and upper side 

 of the leaves downy. 

 Fruit of the largest size, 

 six or seven inches in 

 circumference, nearly 

 globular, one half rather 

 larger than the other. 

 Skin brownish purple, 

 dotted with numerous 

 fawn-coloured specks, 

 and covered with much 

 blue bloom, through 

 which appears a red- 

 dish brown tint on the Fig. 117. Columbia. 

 shaded side. Stalk about an inch long, rather stout, inserted in 

 a narrow, small cavity. Flesh orange, not very juicy, but 



