PRUNES. 



29 



somewhat like small cheeses. It is usually sold about the 

 streets^ but is very little esteemed. 



Prunes. Pnmus domestica, variety ^ Juliana. [Dm- 

 pacece, Lindley.) 



This fruit is the Julian variety of the common plum^ 

 dried either by spreading them on hurdles exposed to the 

 sun^ or on the floors of brick ovens ; the former method is 

 however generally used, except in unfavourable seasons. 

 We receive them in large quantities from France, the im- 

 ports in 1850 being nearly 300 tons. They are very much 

 used in the manufacturing districts, where they are a fa- 

 vourite kind of fruit for pies and puddings ; they are also 

 used medicinally, in consequence of possessing slight laxa- 

 tive qualities. 



The French Plum, or Table Prune, is a much finer variety 

 of plum — Trmms domestica, variety 77 Catharinea, and pro- 

 bably other varieties. They are much larger and contain 

 more sugar. They are usually packed in very elegant boxes, 

 called cartoons. They are carefully dried in the sun, and 

 packed one by one, whereas the common prunes are thrown 

 and pressed into barrels. They usually fetch a high price, 

 and are only used as a table-fruit. About 90 tons were im- 

 ported in 1851. 



