NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



289 



JEFFERSON PLUM. 



This plinn has been brought into public notice 

 ■within a short period. A few years ago it was rec- 

 oniraended by some writers as the very best of 

 plum^, and this high commendation has led to its 

 OKtensivc dissemination. Although this is an excel- 

 lent plum, all things considered, and it should be 

 ranked with the first, j-et it is not the best in every 

 respect. The Green Gage excels it in quality ; the 

 Peach, Manning's Long Blue, Lombard, Prince's Im- 

 perial Gage, and many others excel it as growers, 

 and several kinds are larger. Yet the Jefferson is a 

 tolerably good grower, the fruit is large, and in qual- 

 ity it ranks as first rate, for we have several varieties 

 of plums classed as best, though not hardly equal to 

 that standard of high excellence, the Green Gage. 

 Here we would remark, that as tastes differ, some 

 persons prefer plums of a spirited, vinous flavor, to 

 the sweet and luscious. 



The fruit is large, roundish- oval, slightly nar- 

 rowed at the base, slight suture; greenish-yellow, 

 and when fully ripened in the sun, a golden yellow, 

 and a blush of purplish-red, thin white bloom; 

 Btalk about an inch long, rather stout, in a slight 

 cavity ; flesh a rich orange, rather fine, juicy, of a 

 high, rich flavor; nearly freestone. Ilipens from 

 the last of August to September 1.5 or 20. A good 

 bearer, and a tolerably vigorous grower, but it grows 

 unpleasantly in the nursery, as it is disposed to 

 branch low. The fruit will hang long on the tree, 

 and is not very liable to rot. Originated by the late 

 Judge Buel, Albany, N. Y. 



"We had some fine specimens of this plum from 

 our generous friend, Andrew Lackey, Jr., Marble- 

 head, from which our engraving is made. Mr. L. 

 obtained the Jefferson by mistake, for some other 

 plum, several years ago, and when considerable stir 

 was made in regard' to the great excellence of this 

 plum, and many were anxious to sec the fruit raised 

 in New England, he was so fortunate as to have a 

 good-sized tree in full bearing. 



HOW TO EXAMINE WELLS. 



The following simple mode of examining a well, to 

 ascertain whether it contains any offensive substances, 

 has been recommended as efficient : Place a com- 

 mon mirror over the well in such a position as to 

 catch and throw the rays of the sun directly to the 

 bottom of the well, which will instantly be illumi- 

 nated in such a manner that the smallest pebbles, 

 &c., at the bottom, can be as distinctly discerned as 

 if they were held in the hand. The sun is in the 

 best situation to be reflected in the morning or after- 

 noon. 



Plants in Pots. — Your camellia docs nnt bloom, 

 because it did not set any fl<iwcr-buds last spring, 

 when it made its growth for the season, and it prob- 

 ably did not fonn buds then, for want of proper soil 

 or water at that time. It is precisely during tlie two 

 or three weeks while it is growing, that it requires 

 especial care. At that time, plenty of water, air, 

 and sun, and twice a week some guano water, will 

 give you an abundance of flowers next year. — Hor- 

 ticulturist. 



