160 



FRUIT GARDEN COMPANION. 



2. Purple Gage. 



Fruit of a medium size, nearly round, a little 

 flattened at the ends ; skin of a violet color, with 

 light blue bloom ; the flesh greenish, rich and high 

 flavored. A first rate freestone plum, a great bear- 

 er. Ripe in August. (Manning.) 



3. Green Gage. 



The green gage is undoubtedly one of the best 

 plums grown in this or any other country. The 

 The tree is of a hardy habit, and flourishes well in 

 any place where the plum grows to perfection. It 

 is the least local fruit I am acquainted with. The 

 fruit when green is used as a tart, for which it an- 

 swers admirably ; when ripe it is used as a dessert, 

 and is equal to any fruit of its season. 



The fruit is of a medium size, with a green skin, 

 approaching to a yellow when perfectly ripe, a little 

 dotted with red : flesh firm and of exquisite flavor. 

 It should be eaten before it is too ripe, for then it 

 in a measure loses that fine richness peculiar to it. 



4. Bhecker's Gage. 



A variety which originated with the Rev. Mr 

 Bleecker, Albany, N. Y., where it grows to great 

 perfection, and is esteemed one of their best plums. 

 This is evidently a natural fruit, as it is often propa- 

 gated from the sucker, particularly in the vicinity of 

 Albany. 



This plum is of an oval form, with a skin when 

 ripe similar to the green gage, " a dark yellow, with 

 dark red spots or blotches ; the flesh rich and ex- 

 cellent." A healthy, vigorous growing tree, and 

 generally a good bearer. 



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