1857. 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



241 



JEFFERSON PLUM. 



The above engraving is a very accurate represen- 

 tation of a specimen of the Jefferson Plum, which 

 we gathered last fall in the garden^of Mr. Hexry 

 Vandixe, at Cambridgeport. The Jefiferson is one 

 of our most valuable plums. Col. Wilder classes 

 it as second only to the Green Gage. Cole, while 

 he says it is not the best, gives it a very high rank, 

 and classes it among the first-rate varieties. 



Downing says, "If we were asked which we think 

 most desirable and beautiful of all our dessert 

 plums, we should undoubtedly give the name of this 

 new variety. When fully ripe, it is nearlj', — shall 

 we not say quile equal in flavor to the Green Gage. 

 But when we contrast the small and rather insig- 

 nificant appearance of the Green Gage with the 

 unusual size and beauty of the Jefferson, we must 

 admit that it takes the first rank." 



The fruit is large, roundish oval, somewhat nar- 

 rowed at the base, and marked with a slight suture ; 

 greenish yellow, changing, as the fruit ripens in the 

 sun, to a golden yellow, with a faint purple blush; 

 stalk about an inch in length, set in a slight cavity, 

 and rather stout; flesh flue and juicy, of a rich or- 

 ange color and high flavor ; ripens from the last of 

 Aug ust to the loth or 20th of September. The 



tree is a moderately .vigorous grower, and a very 

 prolific bearer. The fruit hangs long on the tree, 

 and is not very liable to rot. We think this varie- 

 ty was originated by the late Judge Buel, at Alba* 

 ny, N. Y. 



The ill success attending very many of the at- 

 tempts to raise plums, which have been made in 

 this vicinity within a few years, has influenced ma- 

 ny persons in their choice of garden fruit to leave 

 out plums altogether. Though disappointment may 

 often have been the result, we should counsel con- 

 tinued trials, and should advise no one to abandon 

 this delicious fruit until its profitable cultivation is 

 proved to be impossible. The black wart and cur- 

 culio are hard enemies to contend against, but 

 when a tree can be saved from the blighting effects 

 of the one, and a crop ripened in spite of the other, 

 we think the fruit will amply repay for any pains 

 that may have been taken to secure it. 



We may as well say, in passing, that we have 

 never seen finer trees than Mr. Vandixe's, and 

 whether from a soil especially adapted to their 

 growth, or from more judicious care, he has suc- 

 ceeded in keeping his trees entirely free from wart. 



