PLUMS. 63 



smallest section ; the suture is not deep ; the peduncle is only 

 four to five lines in length, inserted in a narrow but rather 

 deep cavity ; the skin is of a fine purple colour next the sun, 

 paler, and inclining to a reddish hue, on the side that is 

 shaded; the flesh is yellowish green, somewhat firm, mode- 

 rately melting, and of a rather pleasant flavour ; the stone 

 separates readily from it, and is nine lines long and six in 

 breadth. This plum greatly resembles the preceding one, but 

 ripens about two weeks sooner. 



SURPASSE MONSIEUR. Pr. cat. Bon. Jard. 



This fruit originated at Paris, from the seed of the Mon- 

 sieur, which is an esteemed French variety. It is of beautiful 

 appearance, and more perfumed than its parent, and of ex- 

 cellent quality. The tree is productive, and the fruit is at 

 maturity in August. 



SWISS. Pk. cat. 



Prune Suisse. Duh. Lend. Hort. cat. 



Prune de Monsieur tardive. Duh. syn. 

 Prune Suisse, or Swiss plum. Coxe. 

 Monsieur tardive. Altesse. Bon. Jard. ' 



This plum is flattened at the extremity; its diameter is 

 greater than its length, the former measuring more than six- 

 teen lines, and the latter but fourteen ; the peduncle is six 

 lines long, and inserted in a slight cavity ; the skin is purple, 

 covered with bloom, rather tough, but separates pretty easily; 

 the flesh is greenish, melting, full of very sweet juice, which is 

 rich, and of a very pleasant flavour ; the stone adheres to the 

 flesh, it is nine lines in length, seven in breadth, and has on 

 each side a sort of projecting ridge. This fruit begins to 

 ripen at the end of August, or early in September, and con- 

 tinues during the whole of the latter month. It is one of the 

 finest kinds known, and is very superior to the Monsieur, with 

 which some compare it. The tree is productive, although the 

 flowers are in general produced singly. 



