TEE JEFFERSON PLUM. 
THE JEFFERS OH PLUM. 
Pruxus. Nat order. Rosaceje. 
.OROH an account published in the first volume of tire Journal of the Horticultural Society, it 
A appears that this superb Plum was first brought into notice through Hr. James Barnet, in 
1841, who procured it for his nursery in Edinburgh from Hr. Wilson, a nurseryman in Hew York. 
From Hr. Downing's “ Fruits and Fruit Trees of America/' it appears that the Jefferson Plum 
was raised by the late Judge Duel, and that the original tree was growing in his garden near 
Albany. Hr. Downing remarks—“If we were asked which we considered the most desirable 
and beautiful of dessert plums, we should undoubtedly give the name of this variety.' 5 As may 
be judged from the figure, it is certainly a most beautiful kind as to appearance, and excellent 
in quality; perhaps, under favourable circumstances, little inferior to the Green Gage, but, 
from the specimen we tasted, certainly not equal to our common favourite. Speaking of it 
Hi'. Thompson remarks “no one can read the preceding statement from Hr. Downing without 
recollecting the well known excellence of the Green Gage, and questioning whether, in point of 
flavour, it can possibly be equalled by the variety under consideration. To say that the Green 
Gage under the most favourable circumstances for acquiring perfection would be surpassed, 
might prove an exaggeration. That remains to be determined. In the meantime it can be 
stated that in the past unfavourable season (1845), in which only there has been an opportunity 
for comparison, the Jefferson was found decidedly superior to the Green Gage." 
Fruit, large oval; stalk, about an inch in length. Skin dark, remarkably speckled with 
purple and red, and suffused with a rich transparent bloom of cobalt blue. Flesh, deep orange, 
slightly adhering to the stone, juicy, rich, and sugary. Stone middle sized, elliptic. Ripe the 
end of August on walls, continuing on standards until the end of September, and will hang 
for a considerable time after it is quite ripe. Shoots smooth, or but partially or very slightly 
downy, of an upright growth. Leaves middle sized, elliptical, glabrous above, serrated or 
acutely crenulated. 
For an opportunity of figuring this very admirable and excellent plum we are indebted to 
Hr. Brown, the very intelligent gardener to the Hon. Sidney Herbert, at "Wilton House, near 
Salisbury, and who received his plants from Hr. Glendinning of the Chiswick Hursery. The 
tree being small and recently planted, only produced a few fruit, so that when the plants become 
thoroughly established, no doubt they will produce finer fruit even than that pourtrayed. It 
may certainly be regarded as one of the very best of plums; in fact as a prize in a class of fruit 
three parts of which are worthless. Fruit lists like plant lists require severely weeding, for it is 
worse than insanity for any person to grow more than ten kinds of plums; indeed, with the 
Jefferson, Green Gage, Coe’s Golden Drop, Downton Imperatrice, Washington, and the Wine 
Sour for preserving, we should be quite satisfied ; but on the subject of these long lists we shall 
have some remarks to make on a future occasion. The Jefferson Plum is a free growing and 
hardy kind, alike suitable to be grown against a wall or as a standard, and those who have 
convenience will not regret having planted it extensively. 
Culture.— In point of cultivation the Plum, though more hardy, requires nearly the same 
treatment as that recommended in a preceding page for the Hectarine. The same general 
principles are applicable—a dry bottom, a good but not highly enriched loamy soil, and a border 
not exceeding three feet in depth. Under such circumstances a thorough ripening of the wood 
may be depended upon, and seasons being favourable, or protection adequate to the preservation 
of the blossom applied, a crop of fruit is certain. Those who have large trees of inferior kinds 
would do well to graft them with the Jefferson; by such means several years would be saved hi 
the production of a crop. Plum Trees are very tractable plants, they may be removed almost of 
any size, or at any age, provided common pains are taken in their removal; and when the opera¬ 
tion is properly performed, they will be benefited rather than injured thereby. The subject, 
however, of fruit-tree culture will shortly occupy the attention of one of our best gardeners, 
when theh management will be explained in great detail.—A. 
TOL. II. 
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