308 



THE PLUM. 



father of the author. Its origin we were never able to learn, 

 and we have not been able during all our pomological re- 

 searches and comparisons, to identify it with any other sort. 



The Purple Favourite, when in perfection, is not surpassed 

 by any other plum in luscious flavour. It is more juicy and 

 melting than the Purple Gage and has some affinity to the 

 Diapree Rouge, or Mimms. It should have a place in every 

 garden, as it bears well, and is very hardy. In the nursery 

 it has the dwarfish habit of the Green Gage, but more slender 

 shoots. 



Branches nearly smooth, short-jointed. Fruit medium size, 

 often large, roundish-obovate. Suture none. Skin light brown 

 in the shade, brownish-purple in the sun, dotted with numerous 

 golden specks, and dusted with thin, light blue bloom. Stalk 

 three-fourths to one inch long, set in a very slight depression. 

 Flesh pale, greenish, very juicy, tender, melting, with a lus- 

 cious sweetness. Parts freely from the stone, which is very 

 small and roundish. Begins to ripen about the 20th of August, 

 and will hang for a fortnight on the tree. 



This is known, incorrectly, as the Purple Gage, in some parts 

 of the country. 



80. PURPLE GAGE- Lind. Pom. Mag. 



Reine Claude Violette. Thomp. Nois. 

 Die Violette Konine Claudie. SicJder. 

 Violet Queen Claude. 



The Purple Gage holds the 

 first place for high flavour 

 among puiple plums abroad. 

 Athough it is as well known in 

 France under the title of the 

 Reine Claude Violette, as in Eng- 

 land under that of the Purple 

 Gage, yet its native country is 

 not precisely determined. 



Branches smooth, much like 

 those of the Green Gage. Fruit 

 medium sized, shaped like the 

 Green Gage, roundish, a little 

 flattened. Suture shallow, but 



distinct. Stalk an inch long, p^ 127. Purple Gage. 



rather thick, set in a narrow cavity. Skin a little thick, violet, 

 dotted with pale yellow and covered with light blue bloom. 

 Flesh greenish-yellow, rather firm, rich, sugary, and very high 

 flavoured, separates from the stone, which is oval and com. 

 pressed. Ripens rather late, and will hang on the tree shriv 

 elling a little, but not cracking all the month of September. 



