FRUIT-TREES. 347 



comes clean from the ftone, which is long- 

 ifli and fmall for fo large a plum. I deem 

 it the beft I know, for there are none of its 

 fize equal to it in goodnefs, and but few 

 that are fmaller excel it: when properly- 

 ripe, it will then Ihrivel on the fide next 

 the fun, and if it is preferved from wafps 

 and flies, will dry upon the tree to be ex- 

 ceeding good at the end of Augufl, or the 

 beginning of September, if it is againft 

 a fouth wall, but on others it is later. I 

 have feen young flandard-trees of it, but 

 I can't recommend the praftice, for they 

 are uncertain of bearing 5 and when they 

 do, the fruit is neither large nor good, 

 befides very liable to be beat down by the 

 winds: but I have gathered good fruit 

 from efpaliers. The leaves of this tree are 

 large, but not much pointed : it does not 

 grow vigoroufly, and tho' it will make fome 

 long fhoots, yet they are generally weak, 

 and of but fhort duration -, for which reafon 

 the horizontals ought to be often renewed : 

 and as it bloflbms early, I advife to have it 

 covered with green branches as foon as the 

 bloffom begins to open. I have by that 

 means procured a large crop of fruit, v/hen 



others 



