PLUMS. 



85 



to the stone, or but partially so ; the stone is very much swol- 

 len on both its sides, and is seven lines long and five broad. 

 This plum ripens at the end of July or beginning of August, 

 and is one of the best among the small varieties. The tree is 

 very vigorous, but is said to seldom yield large crops in the 

 vicinity of Paris ; its introduction here is so recent that suffi- 

 cient opportunities have not been ailbrded to decide whether it 

 will be more productive with us. 



RED DAMASK. Pr. cat. 



Damas rouge. Duh. 



I had supposed this variety to be the same as the Orleans of 

 the English, but such appears not to be the fact. I intend, 

 however, by further investigation to decide that point satisfac- 

 torily. This fruit is a rather regular oval, sixteen lines in 

 length, and fourteen in diameter; the suture is very shallow; 

 the peduncle is six lines long, and inserted almost even with 

 the surface of the fruit ; the skin is dark red on the side ex- 

 posed to the sun, and of a pale red on the other, and is covered 

 entirely with bloom ; the flesh is yellowish, melting, very 

 sweet, and separates readily from the stone, which is seven 

 lines long, and five at its greatest breadth. The fruit ripens 

 the middle of August. The French writers state that in their 

 country it is subject to be wormy, and that the trees are far 

 more productive in the south than in the north of France. 



LATE RED DAMASK. Pr. cat. 



Gros Damas rouge tar dif. N. Duh. 

 Damas rouge tardif, | Late red Damson. 



The length and diameter of this plum are equal, each mea- 

 suring eighteen lines ; the peduncle is six lines long, and in- 

 serted almost even with the surface ; the skin is a light purple 

 colour, approaching to red, with a partial bloom ; the flesh is 

 yellow, melting, with abundance of juice, which is rather 

 sweet and rich, and of very pleasant flavour; the stone is very 

 flat, rather smooth, nine lines long, six and a half broad, and 

 but three in thickness ; one of its edges projects considerably. 



