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PLUMS. 



BEACH PLUM. PR. CAT. BIGELOW. 

 Prunus littoralis. Bigelow. | Prunus spharocarpa. Michaux. 



This variety does not attain to much height, but throws out 

 numerous branches at a short distance from the ground, form- 

 ing a bushy shrub rather than a tree. The flowers appear 

 before the leaves, in numerous umbels, comprising from two 

 to five each ; the fruit is globular, often an inch in diameter, of a 

 purple colour, with a glaucous bloom ; it is pleasant for eating, 

 and in flavour similar to the common plum. Its natural loca- 

 tion is near the salt water, along the coast and on islands. 

 The fruit ripens in August and September. Gen. Dearborn, 

 the enlightened and distinguished President of the Massa- 

 chusetts Horticultural Society, has himself discovered several 

 varieties of it growing in a wild state, two of which are purple, 

 but vary in respect to size, and a third of a shining crimson 

 colour ; and it is to his liberality that I am indebted for the 

 trees in my collection. 



PRINCE'S YELLOW GAGE. PR. CAT. 



This excellent variety was originated by the grandfather of 

 the author, in the year 1783, from a seed of the Green Gage, 

 and from some cause was not until lately much increased in 

 the nurseries. The tree is of strong and vigorous growth, far 

 surpassing its parent in this respect ; the fruit is also of larger 

 size, and of a rather oval form, its length being somewhat 

 more than its diameter. When the fruit has attained its perfect 

 maturity the skin is a bright yellow, and of an almost transpa- 

 rent appearance, with veins of a darker colour under the 

 surface ; the flesh is sweet, rich, and high-flavoured. The fruit 

 ripens rather later than the Green Gage, and is very highly 

 esteemed. 



