1898 ] EARLY VIEWS OF PRUNUS DOMESTICA 425 
identity. The group of Damsons is numerously represented in 
American orchards of the present day. 
PRUNUS DOMESTICA PERNICONA.— These plums have long been 
known in cultivation under the name of Perdrigons. Two hun- 
dred years ago they seem to have been as distinct and important 
as the Reine Claudes. The first edition of Species Plantarum gave 
this.name fernicona. In the second edition it was changed to 
pertigona. As both names appear in the pre-Linnean synonymy 
of the group it is apparent that this change was entirely arbitrary. 
The earliest spelling is therefore to be retained. 
None of the Perdrigons specifically so-called are in general 
cultivation in this country now, though Downing” describes 
White Perdrigon, Blue Perdrigon, Red Perdrigon, and some other 
varieties properly referred tothe same group. It is possible that 
further study of existing horticultural varieties will point out 
some good types of this group; but for the most part the Perdri- 
gons, as a definite type, seem to be lost from American gardens, 
though several of the old time varieties are still cultivated in 
Europe. Even those varieties like Goliath, Diamond, etc., which 
may perhaps belong here, are not favorites in this country. They 
appear to be generally large, round, coarse-fleshed fruits of poor 
quality. 
PRUNUS DOMESTICA JULIANA.—The St. Julian plums, at the 
time when the Prodromus was written, were plainly understood 
to belong to a separate type. They seem largely to have dis- 
appeared, however, from modern horticulture. Downing does 
not give the name, even as a synonym. Neither does Thomas. 
Hogg ** describes one St. Julian, and says that ‘‘it is scarcely 
ever cultivated for the fruit,” but makes a good stock. The St. 
Julian is still used as a stock in some parts of Europe. It has 
been employed to some extent in this country, but proved insuffi- 
: ciently thrifty to suit American commercial nursery methods. Pro- 
fessor Bailey tells me that the St. Julian, as he has seen it recently 
in European nurseries, is to be referred evidently to Prunus 
“Fr, & Fr. Trees Am. 287, 290, 312. 1847. [7th ed.] 
“Fruit Manual 570. 1875. [4th ed., London.] 
