RED OR PURPLE PLUMS. 311 



ing and preserving abundant bearers, and hanging long on the 

 tree. The common German Prune is described as follows. 



Branches smooth. Fruit long-oval, near two inches long, 

 peculiarly swollen on one side, and drawn out towards the stalk. 

 Suture distinctly marked. Skin purple, with a thick blue 

 bloom. Stalk three-fourths of an inch long, slender, slightly 

 inserted. Flesh firm, green, sweet and pleasant, separates 

 from the stone, which is flat, very long, and a little curved. 

 Ripens about the 10th of September. 



This prune is, perhaps, the most universal and most valuable 

 fruit tree in Germany, Hungary, Saxony, and all central Eu- 

 rope. Preserved, it is used in winter as a substitute for butter, 

 by the laboring peasantry ; and dried, it is a source of large 

 profit in commerce. In this country, it is yet but little known, 

 but from the great hardiness and productiveness of the tree, it 

 may be worth trial on a large scale. 



The AUSTRIAN QUETSCHE, Thomp, (Quetsche de Breme, Bre- 

 men Prune,) is a sub-variety, much like the foregoing, purple, 

 a freestone, of rather better flavour, and ripening somewhat 

 later. 



ST. JAMES' QUETSCHE, is another variety, with smooth branch, 

 es, and oblong fruit of medium size ; flesh purple, adheres to 

 the stone, of very good flavour. It yields great crops. Sep- 

 tember. 



87. ROYALE. O. Duh. Thomp. Nois. 

 La Royale. Lind. Hooker. 



The Royale, a French variety, 

 is undoubtedly one of the richest 

 plums. It is peculiarly crisp, with 

 a very high flavour, and is remark- 

 able for the exceedingly thick coat 

 of bloom which covers the skin. 

 The tree is a slow grower, forms 

 a bushy, spreading head, and its 

 very downy shoots have a gray 

 or whitish appearance. It bears 

 regularly, but moderately, and, 

 though not fit for the orchard, it is 

 a first rate garden fruit. 



Fruit of medium size, often quite 

 large ; round, lessening a little to- 

 wards the stalk. Suture distinct 

 at the apex on one side only. Skin Fig. 129. Royale. 



reddish-purple, dotted with light brown specks, and covered 

 with a thick pale bloom, which adheres closely. Stalk three- 

 fourths of an inch long, downy, set in a narrow cavity. Flesh 



