1905 FRUITS OF ONTARIO. 185 



SHROPSHIRE DAMSON. 



A small plum, very highly valued for jam and for preserves; much sought after 

 by those who know its value. 



Origin : Shropshire, England. 



Tkee : upright, fairly vigorous, quite productive. 



Fruit: small, oval; color dark purple, with bine bloom; stalk half an inch long, 

 no cavity ; suture none. 



Flesh: nearly free from stone; texture melting, .juicy; flavor rich, acid. 



Quality : dessert fair ; cooking very good to best. 



Value : market first class 



Season: late. 



SIMON. (Prunus Sinioni, Siinon.ii of Tliomax, Simon's Pl-um). 



A distinct species of stone fruit, having characteristics of both the peach and the 

 plum. It has been tested in Ontario since 1888, and has not realized the expectations 

 of planters who were led to expect in this fruit a substitute for the peach where the 

 latter fruit was uncertain. It has proven itself worthless in the commercial orchard, 

 and valuable only as a curiosity. 



Origin: northeastern China, introduced to France by Eugene Simon and dissem- 

 inated by Simon Bros, of Metz, Alsace. Fruited at Cornell University in 1886, and 

 at St. Catharines, Ont., in 1887. It was placed in the plant distribution list by the 

 Fruit Growers' Association in 1890. 



Tree : upright, slender, lacking in vigor, not productive. 



Fruit: large; form round transversely and flattened longitudinally; color dark 

 maroon, .with a perceptible bloom; stalk half an inch long, stout, set in a deep cavity; 

 suture distinct; stone smooth, clings tightly to the flesh. 



Flesh: orange color; texture, tough and juicy; flavor often bitter, sometimes fairly 

 agreeable. 



Quality and Value : very poor. 



Season : early August. 



Adaptation: to the peach sections. 



SMITH ORLEANS. 



"Fruit large to very large, oval, rather widest toward the stalk, a little irregular, 

 with 3 strongly marked suture on the side ; stalk quite small and slender, a little more 

 than half an inch long, inserted in a deep narrow cavity; skin reddish purple; covered 

 with a deep blue bloom ; flesh deep yellow, a little firm, very juicy, with a brisk rich 

 vinous flavor, and adheres to the stone; good to very good; late August, growth very 

 vigorous." (Downing). 



