348 



PLUM. 



garded for its earliness, being fit for table at the end 

 of July. 



The fruit are larger than either the two preced- 

 ing, nearly oval; colour dark blue or purple, thickly 

 covered with violet bloom. The flesh parts from 

 the stone, which is small ; is yellow, and of a very 

 pleasant flavour. 



This plum is very differently described by some 

 modern authors, and which is another proof of the 

 defective state of many of our fruit lists. 



The bloom of this variety is its greatest ornament: 

 which if it happens to be rubbed off in carriage, or 

 in gathering, may be recovered by covering the fruit 

 for a few hours with nettle tops. 



4. Morocco P. — Ripe in the end of July and be- 

 ginning of August. This is called the early black 

 damask by the French ; how it got the name of 

 Morocco here is uncertain. It is a fine looking fruit, 

 but of inferior quality. They are about the middle 

 size, and nearly round ; colour dark purple, covered 

 by bluish coloured bloom ; flesh greenish yellow, not 

 freely melting, with acid juice, and altogether of 

 second-rate quality. The riper it is when gathered 

 the better ; does well on an east or west wall ; and 

 gives variety to the dessert. 



The Morocco grows to a handsome standard, and 

 being a prolific bearer, answers the purpose of the 

 market gardener w^ell, it always meeting a ready 

 sale. There is another plum allied to this, called 

 the little earlv black damask ; it is a better fruit 



