THE MAGAZINE 



OF 



HORTICULTURE, 



DECEMBER, 1847. 



ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 



Art. I. Descriptions and Ejigravings of Select Varieties of 

 Plimis. By the Editor. 



In our September number, (p. 394,) we commenced our 

 series of articles describing all the best varieties of cherries. 

 We now have the pleasure of giving the first article of an- 

 other series, describing and figuring all the choicest kinds of 

 plums now known, or which may be introduced or produced 

 from seed. Much confusion exists in the nomenclature of 

 this fruit, though to scarcely the extent of that of the cherry ; 

 but a great many varieties are cultivated under erroneous 

 names. Our object will be, not only to make the finest sorts 

 better known to cultivators, but to describe the best varieties 

 under their true names, that they may be identified, and their 

 synonymes readily detected. 



Not many years since, with the exception of the Washing- 

 ton, Imperial Gage, and one or two other sorts, the princi- 

 pal plums in cultivation were of foreign origin. But now that 

 the rapid augmentation of our native kinds has afibrded a 

 better opportunity to make a good selection, the principal va- 

 rieties generally sought after are American seedlings. Thus 

 the Jefierson, Columbia, Lawrence's Favorite, Hulings' 

 Superb, Purple Favorite, McLaughlin, Thomas, &X3., are con- 

 sidered as among the choicest varieties which can be selected. 

 The Green Gage, from its superior excellence, has been, and 

 deservedly, a great favorite ; for no other variety, however so 

 large and showy, could equal it in flavor and richness. Now, 

 however, if not to be eclipsed by the Reine Claude de Bavay, 

 of which so much has been said, it is at least fully equalled 

 by a new native seedling, which we have already described, 

 the Schenectady Catherine. 



VOL. XIII. — NO. XII. 47 



