PLUMS. 



281 



Branches downy. Fruit middle-sized, oval, a little nar- 

 rowed towards the stalk, which is short. Skin deep purple, 

 covered with a blue bloom. Flesh yellow, and separates 

 from the stone. Juice excellent. 



Ripe the beginning and middle of August. 



This Plum has been a long time in our gardens. HAK- 

 LUYT, in 1 582, says, " Of late time the Plum called the 

 Perdigevena, was procured out of Italy, with two kinds 

 more, by the Lord Cromwell, after his travell." 



3. GREAT DAMASK VIOLET OF TOURS. Miller, No. 4. 

 Gros Damas de Tours. Duhamcl, No. 4. 



Branches long, downy. Fruit middle-sized, of a some- 

 what oval figure, about one inch and a quarter long, and 

 something less in diameter. Skin dark blue, covered with 

 a violet bloom. Flesh yellow, and loosely adheres to the 

 stone. Juice sugary and pleasant. 



Ripe the beginning of August. 



4. GROSSE NOIRE HATJVE. Duhamel, No. 3. 

 Noire de Montreuil. Ib. 



Fruit middle-sized, of a somewhat oblong figure, about 

 one inch and a half long, and one inch and a quarter in di- 

 ameter. Skin of a violet colour, covered with a blue bloom. 

 Flesh firm, yellowish when fully ripe, and separates from the 

 stone, leaving a few detached pieces of the pulp behind. 

 Juice sugary and brisk-flavoured. 



Ripe the beginning of August. 



5. KIRKE'S PLUM. Pom. J\fag. t. 111. 



Branches smooth. Fruit rather large, roundish oval, ra- 

 ther broadest at the base, about one inch and three quarters 

 deep, and two inches in diameter; suture slightly depressed. 

 Stalk three quarters of an inch long, very little sunk at its 

 point of insertion ; apex not depressed. Skin dark purple, 

 covered with a copious azure bloom, through which appear 

 a few golden specks : this bloom is extremely remarkable, 

 and does not readily rub off. Flersh greenish yellow, firm, 

 juicy, rich, and separates from the stone, which is middle- 

 sized, irregularly and broadly oval, flattened, with a groove 

 or channel along one face. 



Ripe the beginning and middle of September. 



This is a very handsome variety, and a most excellent 

 bearer, both as a standard and upon a west wall, ripening 

 something later than the Orleans. It was brought into noy 

 tice a few years ago by Mr. Kirke of Brompton, and is be- 

 lieved to be. of foreign origin. 

 24* 



