4 



THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 



made by the Judges, I found it was not sufficiently ripened to possess the 

 desired quality of flavour ; the other looked all that could be desired. But here 

 again was absent the extremely fortuitous characteristic of appropriate flavour. 

 Looking to the winning varieties, I found in the class for Green-fleshed that a 

 common -looking unnamed variety had taken the first prize, and a specimen of 

 Egyptian Green-fleshed was second. In the other class Turner's Scarlet Gem 

 was first, second, and third, and nearly the smallest specimens in the Exhibition ; 

 but fortunately for their growers cut just at the " nick of time." In the absence 

 of all ascertainable data as to when a Melon may be said to have reached just 

 that state of ripeness to possess the desired flavour ; — when it is the one con- 

 sideration alone that decides their merit at an exhibition, it must be admitted 

 that it ranks among those affairs of chance that lie beyond the power of all 

 professional skill or judgment to control. 



Then as to the standard of flavour by which the Judges make their awards. 

 There are clearly ascertained rules by which to judge flowers or plants, but no 

 rule can be defined by which the quality of flavour can be ascertained. It 

 cannot be aught else but a matter of individual taste, that will admit of very 

 great latitude. Would two sets of Judges have reached exactly the same result 

 regarding the Melons at the Crystal Palace ? Uniformity of taste is as impos- 

 sible as uniformity of features or creed. Where are the clearly-ascertained 

 rules by which a trio of Judges shall reach the same result in a matter of indi- 

 vidual taste ? Even by the assistance of sherry to give a tone to the palate, I 

 have no confidence in the correctness of the result that will be attained. 



I call the judgment of Melons as carried out in the present day a sham, if 

 flavour alone is to decide. If prizes for flavour find a place in the schedules, 

 let there be also a recognition of weight, of symmetry and proportions, com- 

 bined with colour and ripeness, and let newness have due consideration also, 

 leaving it to the option of the J udges to make flavour a final court of appeal in 

 the event of another point being required to bias their decision. 



Quis? 



GOLDEN ESPEREN PLUM. 



WITH AN ILLUSTRATION. 



S Y N on v m e. — Drap cV Or cVEsperen. 



This is one of the seedlings raised by that successful pomologist Major 

 Esperen, of Malines. The seed was sown about the year 1832, and the tree 

 first produced fruit in 1843. 



The fruit is generally of a regular oval shape, about 2 inches long ; but it 

 sometimes assumes a roundish form, and it is marked on one side with a shallow 

 but distinct suture, which is most distinct toward the stalk. The skin is very 

 thin and delicate, transparent, and of a clear golden yellow colour on the 

 exposed side, where it has a few crimson dots ; but it is paler yellow on the 

 shaded side. The flesh is yellow, tender, and melting. Juice abundant, rich, 

 sugary, and finely flavoured, separating freely from the stone. 



The tree is quite hardy, and makes a good pyramid. It; is a very abundant 

 bearer, small trees three years from the graft giving a good sprinkling of 

 fruit. The shoots are smooth, long, and vigorous, and of a reddish-brown 

 tinge. Leaves pretty large, oval, and somewhat obovate towards the base, 

 coarsely and deeply toothed, and downy beneath. 



This is a first-rate dessert Plum, handsome in shape, and beautiful in 

 colour. Our figure was taken from fruit grown in the orchard-house of 

 Mr. Rivers, of Sawbridgeworth. 



