356 



PLU3I. 



yet its great size gives it a non-inviting appearance 

 at table ; it requiring too much slicing to be plea- 

 santly partaken of. The tree is a prolific bearer, the 

 fruit being often produced in clusters, and which 

 require thinning, as much for the sake of the tree as 

 for the reserved fruit. 



22. La Delicieuse P, — Ripens about the end of 

 September. This is a plum of American origin, in- 

 troduced into the London nurseries a few years ago. 

 The fruit are middle sized, and of an oval shape ; 

 general colour a light yellow, purplish on the sun 

 side, with numerous specks. The pulp is also yel- 

 low, and parts from the stone ; juicy, and of very 

 rich flavour. The tree requires a south or south- 

 east wall, where it grows and bears well. Whether 

 it will do as an espalier, the author can give no opi- 

 nion, as he has not had sufficient experience of its 

 merits. 



23. Blue Imperatrice P, — Ripe from the end of 

 September to the beginning of November. This 

 favourite plum is of French extraction, and has been 

 long in English gardens. The fruit are middle-sized, 

 oblong, and of a dark blue colour, thickly powdered 

 with a whitish bloom not easily rubbed off. The 

 pulp is yellow, clings to the stone, and is of ex- 

 ceedingly rich flavour, especially after it becomes 

 shrivelled on the tree. 



The foregoing are what are usually called dessert 

 plums. The following are more for the use of the 

 cook and confectioner ; and are, in the diet of either 

 rich or poor, fully as useful as any of the others. 



