66 



PLUMS. 



smallest part ; being somewhat compressed in the direction of 

 the suture, which is very shallow. The penduncle is nine 

 lines long, and inserted in a slight cavity, scarcely apparent ; 

 the skin is a light purple, with considerable bloom, and marked 

 with fawn coloured dots; the flesh is yellowish, melting, 

 abounding in juice, and of a bland, sweet and very pleasant 

 flavour ; it adheres strongly to the stone, which is ten lines 

 long, and somewhat more than seven broad ; it is rather 

 smooth on both sides; one of its edges has a deep grove, but 

 the other projects considerably. This variety is yet rare in 

 the vicinity of Paris, and it is but a few years since it was in- 

 troduced to our country. Duhamel remarks that it merits ex- 

 tensive cultivation on account of the great excellence of its 

 fruit, which is at maturity the end of August. 



VIOLET PERDRIGON. Auth. 



Perdrigon violet. Duh. Lond. Hort. cat. 

 Violet, or Blue Perdrigon. Mil. For. 



This plum is supported by a peduncle eight or nine lines in 

 length, which is inserted in a slight cavity; its form is not 

 perfectly round, being somewhat contracted at the base ; it is 

 seventeen to eighteen lines in length, and a line less in diame- 

 ter ; the skin is purple, marked with fawn coloured dots and co- 

 vered with bloom ; it is unfortunately very tough, which pre- 

 vents its being eaten with the fruit, as is usually the case with 

 most other plums ; the flesh is greenish, partially melting, and 

 moderately sweet and rich ; it adheres to the stone, which is 

 very flat and small in comparison with the fruit. This plum 

 may be ranked among the choice varieties ; it ripens about 

 the middle of August. I have received from France the Vio- 

 let Perdrigon, of Provence, and the Violet Perdrigon, of 

 Thoulouse, but am not aware to which the above description 

 of Duhamel refers, or whether they may not be both distinct 

 from the one here described. 



