314 



THE PLUM. 



Green Gage, but more oval, regularly 

 formed. Skin brownish or brick red, 

 with little bloom. Stalk rather slen- 

 der, set in a narrow cavity. Flesh 

 greenish- amber, very juicy, melting, 

 sugary, and luscious. It parts freely 

 from the stone, which is small. Mid- 

 dle of August. 



[This is quite distinct from the 

 LONG SCARLET, (which see,) some- 

 times called Red Gage, or Scarlet 

 Gage.] 



Fig. 130. Red Gage. 



93. RIVER'S EARLY. 



Two new seedlings raised by Mr. Thomas Rivers, an English 

 nurseryman of reputation. Their parent was the Pre"coce de 

 Tours, but they are said to be earlier, hardier, and more prolific 

 than that variety. 



"River's Early, No. 1," has downy shoots; No. 2, has 

 smooth shining shoots. Both bear oval, purple fruit, of medium 

 size ; flesh yellow, sweet and excellent. They ripen the last of 

 July. 



94. SUISSE. Thomp. Poit. 



Simiana. 

 Monsieur Tardif. 

 Prune d'Altesse. 

 Prune Suisse. 

 Swiss Plum. 



A handsome October plum, bearing some affinity to the St. 

 Martin, or Coe's Late Red, and ripening about the same time, 

 or a little earlier. It is very different from the oval plum, in- 

 correctly known as the Semiana about Boston.* 



Branches smooth. Fruit globular, rather large, with a broad 

 shallow suture on one side, and terminating in a depressed point. 

 Skin pale red in the shade, but lively violet red in the sun, dot- 

 ted with numerous specks a little marbled, and coated with a 

 thick blue bloom. Stalk nearly an inch long, pretty stout, set 

 in a wide hollow. Flesh greenish-yellow, crackling and melt- 

 ing, with a brisk, rich flavour, in which there is a slight, but 

 pleasant sharpness. It adheres to the stone, which is thick, 

 with a rough edge. September, to the middle of October 



* See Blue Imperatrice. 



