RED OR PURPLE PLUMS. 



is a native variety raised from 

 the old Orleans about 20 years 

 ago by Mr. Smith, of Gowanus, 

 Long Island. It is one of the 

 most vigorous of all plum trees, 

 making straight, glossy, red- 

 dish-purple shoots, seven or 

 eight feet long in the nursery, 

 with dark green, crimped 

 leaves. It bears regularly 

 and well, in almost any soil, its 

 fruit is large and handsome, 

 and has that blending of sweet 

 and acid in its flavour, which 

 renders it, to our taste, one of 

 the most agreeable of all 

 plums. It is deservedly a fa- 

 vourite in American gardens. Fig. 125. Smith's Orleans. 



Bearing branches smooth, or nearly so. Fruit large, often 

 of the largest size, oval, rather widest towards the stalk, a little 

 irregular, with a strongly marked suture on one side. Stalk 

 quite small and slender, little more than half an inch long, in- 

 serted in a deep narrow cavity. Skin reddish-purple, covered 

 with a deep blue bloom. Flesh deep yellow, a little firm, very 

 juicy, with a brisk, rich vinous flavour, (not sweet and cloy- 

 ing,) and adheres to the stone. Ripens from the 20th to the 

 last of August, and hangs for some time on the tree, becoming 

 very dark in colour. 



By an error, this variety was sent out from the gardens here 

 for several years, as the Violet, or Blue Perdrigon, a smaller, 

 and very different fruit, and bears this name still, in some col- 

 lections. 



74. ISABELLA. Thomp. 



This is an attractive looking English plum, of a fine red co- 

 lour, and of good flavour, though scarcely so beautiful as the 

 coloured plate in the Pomological Magazine would lead one to 

 suppose ; but well worthy of a place in a large collection. 



Branches quite downy and gray, like those of the Orleans. 

 Fruit medium size, oval, rather narrower towards the stalk. Skin 

 dark dull red in the sun, paler in the shade, and thickly sprink- 

 led with darker coloured dots. Stalk three-fourths of an inch 

 long, a little hairy, set in a moderate hollow. Flesh yellow, 

 rich, juicy, with a smart flavour, and adheres to the pointed 

 stone. Last of August. 



26* 



