COE'S GOLDEN DROP PLUM. 



parts of New England it may not, possibly, attain that richness which 

 it acquires with us, and which constitutes its great excellence. 



The trees are of vigorous and rather compact growth, having smooth, 

 short-jointed, purplish shoots, with very prominent eyes, somewhat like 

 the Green Gage, and with small, glossy, deep green leaves. 



It is a most abundant bearer, and the fruit, which ripens the last of 

 September and early in October, if carefully gathered, will keep in a 

 sound state for more than a month, shrivelling slightly, but retaining its 

 juiciness and fine flavor. Lindley, in his account of it in the Guide to 

 the Orchard, states that, when the fruit has been wrapped in soft pa- 

 per, and kept in a dry room, he has eaten it twelve months after being 

 gathered. 



Teee. — Moderately vigorous, diverging in its branches, forming a 

 stocky, rather compact head ; annual shoots short and strong. 



Wood. — Dark purplish brown, with a few paler spots, smooth, short- 

 jointed ; buds, medium size, roundish, with prominent shoulders. 



Leaves. — Medium size, oval, nearly flat, tapering to the end, rather 

 sharply serrated, smooth, and of a glossy dark green on the upper side; 

 petioles short, slightly pubescent, with two globose glands at the base of 

 the leaf. 



Flowers. — Medium size ; petals roundish ovate, somewhat imbri- 

 cated. 



Fruit. — ^Large, about two inches long, and one and three quarters in 

 diameter: Form, oval, largest in the middle, tapering to the apex, 

 which is slightly depressed, and narrowing to the stem, where it is ab- 

 ruptly hollowed out ; suture distinct, running half round, one side little 

 longer than the other: Skin, fair, smooth, golden yellow, somewhat 

 mottled with pale green under the skin, dotted with a few deep crimson 

 specks on the sunny side, and covered with a thin whitish bloom : Stem, 

 medium length, about one inch long, rather slender, and obliquely in- 

 serted in a small cavity, on a somewhat elongated base: Flesh, pale 

 yellow, thick, very melting, and firmly adhering to the stone : Juice, 

 abundant, sugary, sprightly and delicious : Stone, large, verv long, rather 

 narrow, compressed, and sharp pointed. 



Ripe the last of September, and keeps a long time. 



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