348 THE FRUIT GARDEN 



Varieties. — The following varieties are those most generally grown : — 



Defarges. — Fruit rather large ; July, August. 



Gros CoMMtTN (Large Ordinary). — Tree very vigorous and fertile, spreading ; fruit 

 oval, whitish yellow, and speckled golden brown on the sunny side, excellent for pre- 

 serving ; end of July. 



Jacques. — Tree rather vigorous, very fertile ; leaves small ; fruit medium-sized, 

 flat-ovoid, pale yellow, shaded grey ; middle of August. 



LlABAUD. — Tree vigorous, not very fertile ; leaves large ; f7-uit globular, straw- 

 coloured and orange carmine on the sunny side ; July. 



LuiZET. — Tree vigorous, fertile ; fruit large and sweet ; end of July. 



PfeCHE (Peche de Nancy). — Tree vigorous, very fertile; leaves large ; fruit large, 

 oval, yellow carmine where exposed to the sun ; end of August. 



PR:fiC0CE DE BOULBON (De Boulbon). — Tree vigorous, very fertile; leaves large; 

 fruit large, oval, yellow carmine on the sunny side ; beginning of July. 



Pr£c0CE de Monplaisir. — Tree very vigorous, not fertile ; /rKz/ rather large, 

 orange yellow, purpled where exposed to the sun ; beginning of July. 



PriScoce D'Esperen (Esperen). — Tree very vigorous, not very fertile, spreading; 

 leaves very large ; fruit rather large, oval, straw yellow, intensified on the sunny side ; 



July- , .... 



Royal (Royal de Wurtemberg). — Tree vigorous, very fertile; leaves medium-sized ; 

 fruit large, globular, flattened, yellowish white and orange yellow, purple on the sunny 

 side; end of July, August. 



Sucre de Holub. — TV^^ moderately vigorous, fertile ; /^aw^j rather large, rounded ; 

 fruit large, rounded-ovoid, orange yellow and red, marked with purple on the sunny 

 side ; August. 



The most useful varieties for commercial purposes are : — Gros Commun, 

 Liabaud, Precoce de Boulbon, P^che, Royal. 



THE ALMOND 



The almond requires rather a high temperature to ripen its fruit ; its very 

 early blossoming also renders it liable to injury from the spring frosts. It does 

 best in the south and west of France. Around Paris green almonds can be 

 obtained by planting in sheltered situations. Dry and deep land is most 

 favourable to its fertility. 



Propagation. — In the south of France it is grafted upon the almond, but 

 in the vicinity of Paris the St.Julien plum suits it much better. It is best 

 grown as a standard. It needs but little pruning, and that more for the sake of 

 symmetry. 



Varieties. — The best varieties for amateurs are Soft Shelled and 

 La Princesse ; they are ripe in July. For market culture these two varieties 

 are grown, as well as Ronde Fine. The gathering of almonds takes place in 

 August and September. They are used in cookery, &c. 



THE CHERRY 



The cherry likes an open situation with a mellow soil ; it greatly dreads an 

 excess of moisture. It is found wild more or less throughout France, but less 

 frequently near the sea. It is grown in gardens in pyramid, vase, and palmate 



