396 
THE PLUM. 
not agree, neither do the authorities ; some say a freestone, and 
others a cling ; we retain the old description. 
Branches always quite downy. Fruit large, roundish, but 
marked with a large and deep suture extending quite half 
round, and enlarged on one side. At the apex is a small white 
depressed point. Skin lively red in the shade, deep violet in 
the sun, with many minute golden dots, and coated with a thick 
blue bloom. Stalk half to three-fourths of an inch long, stout, 
set in a narrow cavity. Flesh greenish, rather firm, with a rich, 
high flavoured, abundant juice. It adheres closely to the stone, 
which is large, oval, and flattened. 
Royale Hative. Thomp. Nois. 
Early Royal. Mirian. 
An early plum of French origin. Tree vigorous, with stout 
short branches. 
Branches very downy. Fruit of medium size, roundish, a 
little wider towards the stalk. Skin light purple, dotted, (and 
faintly streaked,) with brownish-yellow, and covered with a blue 
bloom. Stalk half an inch long, stout, inserted with little or no 
depression. Flesh yellow amber, with rich, high flavour, and 
parts from the stone, (adhering slightly, till ripe.) Stone small, 
flattened, ovate. Begins to ripen about the 20th of July. 
Saint Catherine. Thomp. Lind. O. Duh. 
Among the fine old varieties of 
late plums, the St. Catherine is one 
of the most celebrated. In France 
it is raised in large quantities, in 
some districts making the most de- 
licate kind of prunes. It is also 
much esteemed for preserving, and 
is of excellent quality for the des- 
sert. 
Branches smooth, upright, rather 
slender. Fruit of medium size, 
obovate, narrowing considerably to- 
wards the stalk, and having a 
strongly marked suture on one side. 
Stalk three-fourths of an inch or 
more long, very slender, inserted in 
a slight cavity. Skin very pale 
yellow, overspread with thin white 
St. Catherine. bloom, and occasionally becoming 
a little reddish on the sunny side. Flesh yellow, juicy, rather 
