PLUMS. 



65 



extremity; the peduncle is slender, eight lines in length, and 

 inserted nearly even with the surface of the fruit; the skin 

 is a greenish white, covered with a profusion of bloom, and 

 speckled with red next the sun ; the flesh is greenish rather 

 than white, somewhat firm, melting, perfumed, and so sweet 

 that when the fruit is very ripe, it has the same taste as if it 

 was preserved ; the stone is seven lines long and five broad, 

 and does not adhere to the flesh. This fruit ripens at the 

 beginning of September ; it is excellent for the table, and in 

 France they make fine prunes of it. Duhamel states that the 

 tree is subject to a blight of the blossoms, and therefore 

 recommends that it be trained as the espalier. There is a 

 variegated variety of this plum, which I have received from 

 France. 



EARLY PERDRIGON. Pk. cat. 



Perdrigon hatif. Perdrigon Jmtive. N. Duh. 

 Perdrigon hatif. Lond. Hort. cat. 



This plum, which is borne on a peduncle eight lines in 

 lengthj is of a perfectly ovate form, and fifteen fines long 

 by eleven in diameter. The skin is of a violet colour, co- 

 vered with a bloom, which gives it a grayish appearance ; the 

 flesh is greenish, melting, juicy, and acid before its maturity ; 

 afterwards it retains but little flavour, and even becomes flat 

 and insipid. This fruit ripens about the middle of July, but 

 as it is firmly attached to the peduncle, and that adheres 

 strongly to the branch, the plums become half dried upon the 

 tree ; yet far however from becoming better in that state, they 

 acquire on the contrary a rather disagreeable taste. 



NORMAN PERDRIGON. Pk. cat. 

 Perdrigon Normand. Duh. Lond. Hort. cat. 



This plum is one of the best French varieties, and among those 

 which are coloured, the Purple Gage is the only one that can 

 be compared to it. The fruit is nearly round, but somewhat 

 diminished at the base ; it is eighteen lines or more in length, 

 and the same at its greatest diameter, but only seventeen at its 



VOL. II. 9 



