26 



A Plea for the Plum - Trees. 



a slow and often an irregular grower, and one of the most difficult trees to 

 get into shape ; but it bears, after it once comes into bearing, even and 

 regular crops. The fruit is small, green or yellowish-green, spotted with 

 red ; flesh green, melting, juicy, of a rich aromatic flavor. A more delicious 

 fruit it would be difficult to find. 



Next we have the Lnperial Gage, a seedling of the last, and though by 

 no means as fine a plum, yet a very valuable and excellent variety. 



Unlike the last, it is a free grower, and requires careful pruning, the tree 

 having a tendency to run up. The foliage is dark and healthy ; the fruit 

 large, pale-green, yellowish when ripe, with dull green stripes and a whitish 



bloom. It is an abundant bearer ; indeed, if not thinned, is apt to over- 

 bear. As a market-fruit, it should be extensively planted. 



Next, for beauty of growth, and regularity of bearing, we should place 

 Fond''s Seedling ; though it is not a plum of first quality. The fruit is round- 

 ish, of medium size ; flesh yellow, sweet, with a very pleasant acid combi- 

 nation. It is a very handsome tree; and always gives satisfoctory crops. 

 A far better plum, but yet, perhaps, not so desirable as a market-fruit, is 

 the Jefferson. 



For beauty and flavor, we cannot praise it too highly. The fruit is large, 

 golden-yellow, with a reddish cheek ; flesh orange, very rich and luscious. 

 It hangs long on the tree, and is always fine. It is an American seedling, 



