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LI. Some account of the Ickworth Imperatrice Plum. By Mr. 

 Robert Thompson; Superintendent of the Orchard and 

 Kitchen Garden Department in the Society's Garden. 



Read November 2, 1841. 



The Ickworth Imperatrice Plum, of which the accompanying 

 drawing by Miss Drake is an excellent representation, was raised 

 by the late Thomas Andrew Knight, Esq., to whom the world is 

 indebted for so many valuable fruits, the result of his skill and 

 perseverance. Some account of this variety, as well as of five others 

 of the same parentage, is given by him in Vol. VI, p. 529, of the 

 First Series of the Society's Transactions. It is there distinguished 

 as No. 6 ; and under this designation a more especial account is 

 given of it in Vol. I. p. 53, of the New Series. Subsequently, in 1832, 

 cuttings of the variety, under the name of Ickworth Imperatrice, 

 were sent by Mr. Knight to the Society. The fruit from a tree 

 grafted with these, perfectly agreed with that produced on one 

 previously received as the seedling No. 6 ; and it has been found to 

 possess so much excellence as to be considered worthy of a drawing, 

 especially as the rich tracing on its surface which constitutes its ex- 

 ternal distinguishing character, was not depicted in the plate in 

 which the fruit was originally figured. 



Its parentage on both sides possesses much merit, it having been 

 raised from the Imperatrice Violette and pollen of Coe's Golden 

 Drop. The fruit is middle-sized, or somewhat larger than its 

 female parent, and obovate ; the stalk is of medium length and 

 thickness. The Skin is purple, richly traced, as if embroidered, 

 with golden brown lines, some like straight pencillings radiating 

 downwards from the insertion of the stalk, while others are wavy 



