PcEPORT ON PLUMS AT CHISAVICK, 1901. 



013- 



REPORT ON PLUMS AT CHISWICK, 1901. 



A COLLECTION of Pluiii-trees was presented to the Gardens in the- 

 spring of 1894, and these were all lifted and replanted in 1897 on ground 

 that had been formerly occupied by Apple-trees. All the varieties were 

 planted in alphabetical order, so that any one in particular could easily be 

 found if wanted. For a number of years ' Grand Duke ' has always been 

 the first to blossom, being generally in flower on April 9, followed by 

 * Bittern ' on April 15. All the other varieties blossomed on April 22 or 28, 

 there being practically no difference in that respect between the early and 

 late ripening varieties. I'ntil 1901 the climatic conditions were so 

 unfavourable that it was not possible to get a complete report of the fruit 

 of each variety, as on several occasions the spring frosts destroyed the- 

 fruit after it was set ; but the spring of 1901 being favourable, all the 

 varieties, with about two exceptions, bore crops of fruit, and afforded an 

 excellent opportunity for comparison and observation. All the trees are 

 grown in bush form, and planted 9 feet apart each way, the growth in 

 every case being very satisfactory, the light soil at Chiswick suiting Plum- 

 trees generally. 



F.C.C. = First-class Certificate. 

 A.M. = Award of Merit. 



1. Archduke (Lane). — Fruit large, oval, deep bluish-purple, and having 

 a rather deep suture ; stalk ^ inch long and deeply inserted ; freestone ;. 

 very heavy crop ; foliage of medium size, with large glands ; habit erect 

 and vigorous. An excellent late cooking variety, raised by the late Mr. 

 Francis Rivers, of Sawbridge worth. Ready September 17. 



2, 3. Angelina Burdett (Fraser, Rivers). — ^Fruit of medium size, round, 

 dark red shaded with purple, and covered with minute brown dots ; suture 

 shallow ; stalk \ inch long, set in a shallow cavity ; fiesh green, tinged 

 with red ; clingstone ; foliage of medium size, with very small glands ; 

 habit bushy and compact ; good crop ; shoots smooth. A delicious dessert 

 variety that hangs well on the trees for some time after it is ripe. Ready 

 August 22. 



4, 0. Autumn Compote (Fraser, Lane). — Fruit large, oval, bright red, 

 covered with minute brown dots, and with a shallow suture ; stalk rather 

 over ^ inch long and set in a deep close cavity ; clingstone ; light crop ; 

 foliage and glands large ; habit erect, compact, and vigorous ; shoots 

 smooth. A late cooking variety, raised by the late ]\lr. Francis Rivers,, 

 of Sawbridgeworth. Ready September 12. 



6. Belgian Purple (Rivers). — Fruit of medium size, deep round, dark 

 purple, with brown dots on most of the fruits ; deep suture near the stalk, 

 shading oft' to nothing near the point ; stalk J inch long, deeply inserted ; 

 clingstone ; good crop ; foliage of medium size, with small glands ; habit 

 erect, compact, and vigorous ; shoots smooth. A very useful cooking 

 variety, and in some seasons (piite good enough for dessert. Ready 

 August 19. 



