396 



THE PLUM. 



not agree, iieillier do the aiitliorities ; some say a freestone, and 

 others a cling ; we retain the old description. 



Branches always quite downy. Fruit large, roundish, but 

 marked with a large and deep suture extending quite half 

 round, and enlarged on one side. At the apex is a small white 

 depressed point. Skin lively red in the shade, deep violet in 

 the sun, with many minute golden dots, and coated with a thick 

 blue bloom. Stalk half to three-fourths of an inch long, stout, 

 set in a narrow cavity. Flesh greenish, rather firm, with a rich, 

 high flavoured, abundant juice. It adheres closely to the stone, 

 which is large, oval, and flattened. 



RoYALE Hative. Thomp. Nois. 

 Early Royal. Mirian. 



An early plum of French origin. Tree vigorous, with stout 

 short branches. 



Branches very downy. Fruit of medium size, roundish, a 

 little wider towards the stalk. Skin light purple, dotted, (and 

 faintly streaked,) with brownish-yellow, and covered with a blue 

 bloom. Stalk half an inch long, stout, inserted with little or no 

 depression. Flesh yellow amber, with rich, high flavour, and 

 parts from the stone, (adhering slightly, till ripe.) Stone small, 

 flattened, ovate. Begins to ripen about the 20th of July. 



Saint Catherine. Thomp. Lind. O. Duh, 



Among the fine old varieties of 

 late plums, the St. Catherine is one 

 of the most celebrated. In France 

 it is raised in large quantities, in 

 some districts making the most de- 

 licate kind of prunes. It is also 

 much esteemed for preserving, and 

 is of excellent quality for the des- 

 sert. 



Branches smooth, upright, rather 

 slender. Fruit of medium size, 

 obovate, narrow^ing considerably to- 

 wards the stalk, and having a 

 strongly marked suture on one side. 

 Stalk three-fourths of an inch or 

 more long, very slender, inserted in 

 a slight cavity. Skin very pale 

 yellow^, overspread with thin white 

 bloom, and occasionally becoming 

 ^dish on the sunny side. Flesh yellow, juicy, rather 



St Catherine. 



