PLUMS. 



89 



accords so well with our climate tliat it soon attains to a 

 large size. It is exceedingly productive, the fruit hanging in 

 numerous clusters along the branches. The form is rather 

 more than an inch in length, and seven-eighths of an inch in 

 diameter ; the skin is a greenish wliite, marked with brown 

 spots; the flesh is rather rich and juicy, of pleasant flavour, 

 and adheres to the stone. This plum ripens in September, 

 and sometimes continues on the tree until after frost appears, 

 and in some instances a part of the fruit becomes partially 

 shrivelled, in which case the flavour is much improved. 



LATE BLACK DAMSON. Pk. cat. 



Damns noir. Damas noir tardif. Duh. 



Damas noir tardif. Lond. Hort. cat. Black Damson. 



This fruit is thirteen lines in length and twelve and a half 

 in diameter, and is sometimes flattened in the same direction 

 as the stone, being about a line less in its diameter where thus 

 compressed ; the peduncle is five to six lines long, and inserted 

 in a very slight cavity ; the skin is of a deep purple colour, 

 almost black, and covered with bloom ; the flesh is rather 

 firm, yellowish green, acid when the fruit is not fully ripe, but 

 sweet and slightly perfumed when it has attained to perfect 

 maturity. The stone in some cases slightly adheres to the 

 flesh ; it is not quite seven lines long, and six in breadth, with 

 a deep suture upon one of its edges. Duhamel states that the 

 fruit ripens in France at the end of August. 



LATE PURPLE DAMSON. Pr. cat. 



Purple winter Damson. Pr. cat. 26lh ed. 

 Damson. Winter Damson. Late Damson. 

 Blue Damson. Blue Damascene. 

 Common blue Damson. 



This is the plum which is brought in the greatest quantities 

 to our markets, during the fall season, under the name of 

 Damson, and which is so much sought after for preserves. 

 The tree is exceedingly productive, and in this respect is per- 

 haps unsurpassed by any other variety. Those who cultivate 

 this kind for the market find it very profitable, as the fruit is 



VOL. n. 12 



