34 



pleasant, without much acid. Crown small, leaves 

 not very numerous. Average weight, 4^1bs. This 

 variety was obtained from seed at Wollaton, the seat 

 of Lord Middleton. 



Providence, Prickly, see Welbeck Seedling. 



Providence, White (Providence, New Providence, 

 Mealy-leaved Providence, Wollaton Providence, Wol- 

 laton Green Providence). — Average weight 71bs. ; 

 largest of the varieties here enumerated, excepting 

 the Trinidad. Leaves large, long, broad and spread- 

 ing, of a light bluish green colour, sometimes blotched 

 with a deeper shade, and very mealy ; spines very 

 small, thickly set and rather irregular. Flowers 

 large, dark purple. Fruit oval or tun shaped,, nearly 

 equal in size at top and bottom, very dark green or 

 purple, and thickly covered with meal ; on approach- 

 ing maturity gradually changing to a reddish yellow. 

 Pips very large and nearly flat, sometimes a little de- 

 pressed in the centre. Scales covering nearly half 

 the pips, and terminating in shortened blunt points. 

 Flesh white, opaque, sweet and juicy, without much 

 flavour, slightly stringy and rather soft and melting. 

 Crown large, leaves numerous and rather spreading. 



Queen (Broad Leaved Queen, Common Queen, 

 Narrow Leaved Queen, Ordinaire). — Average weight 

 2^1bs., though it can be grown much larger. One 

 of the best and most useful. Leaves very short, 

 broad and stiff, somewhat spreading and keel-shaped, 

 of a bluish green, and thickly covered with meal. 

 Spines large, strong, rather far apart and regular. 

 Flowers lilac. Fruit cylindrical ; before ripening, a 

 lightish green and mealy ; when ripe, a rich deep yel- 

 low. Pips rather below the middle size and a little 

 prominent. Scales covering rather more than one- 

 third the pips, ending in lengthened points. Flesh 

 pale yellow, very slightly fibrous and melting, re- 

 markably juicy and sweet, with a rich pleasant acid. 

 Crown middle sized, leaves numerous and a little 



