THE NECTARINE PLUM.

This Plum has been exhibited, during the last two seasons, in some of the shops of our London Seedsmen, from Mr. Ross of the Caledonian Nursery at Newington, to whom the author is indebted for specimens, under the name of the Caledonian Plum. The title now given, was suggested by the Fruit Committee of the HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, as expressive of the peculiar character and appearance of the fruit, which so much resembles a Nectarine in size and colour, that many persons have at first sight mistaken them; besides which, the fruit has been exposed for sale in Covent-Garden Market as the Nectarine Plum. The change of name will not be attended with confusion, after this explanation.

The trees of this variety are exuberantly productive, and appear to be vigorous and healthy; succeeding well as standards, or when trained. The fruit, which is produced in clusters, is very large, nearly round, a little compressed at each end, slightly furrowed or cleft. The skin is very acid and pungent, of an intense red colour, inclining to dull purple when ripe, having a slight delicate bloom or meal when grown in a good exposure; but when deprived of this, it assumes the rich sombre hue of a dark Newington Nectarine. The flesh is greenish yellow, of a rather firm consistence, but well flavoured, resembling the Orleans Plum. Stone moderately large, oval, rugged, pointed at the end next the eye; quitting the flesh very easily when ripe.

This variety is recommended to the particular attention of Market Gardeners; for although it be not equal in richness or delicacy to many of the same tribe, it is valuable on account of its fine appearance and fruitful habit, and has great merit for baking. It ripens on standard trees in August, but is much earlier when trained to a wall, and continues ripening in succession until September. A variety of Plum is figured in the new edition of DU HAMEL, published at Paris, called Prune Peche, which resembles the Nectarine Plum in size, but we cannot quote it as the same variety.