Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 3, 1802).djvu/319

Rh on the floor, acquires a deep yellow tint, marked with starry points, and frequently brown rough spots, or large warts; its eye represents a regular star; its flesh, beneath the tender skin, is yellow; firm, though delicate; yielding abundance of juice, that possesses a pleasant aromatic flavour: it ripens about Christmas, and may be kept till March.—The tree grows luxuriantly, and becomes of a considerable size.

14. The Ladies' Plum (Damas Violet), a highly esteemed, large, fine, oblong fruit, of a deep violet or black colour, and a dusky bloom; its yellow pulp separates from the stone; has as weet, delicate taste; and is eatable in the middle of August.—Plum-trees, on the whole, are of a moderate growth, and generally slender.

15. The Winter Queen (la Reine d'hyver), a very excellent pear, of a middle size, but of different shapes and colours, being sometimes of a golden tint, with grey dots, or a few rusty spots, and sometimes marked with many rust-coloured stains.—Those of proper growth are pear-shaped, but most of them have an irregular form, with the eye on one side. The pulp is tolerably mellow, granulated about the core, and of a sweet, delicious flavour; it ripens towards the end of November, and is not easily affected by the winter.—The tree is of a moderate size.

16. The Doctor's, or Cardinal's Cherry; a large, dark-red, globular fruit, with a long and strong stalk; its pulp is red and soft; the juice agreeably sweet and acid, in equal proportions. The stone has a sharp point, and the fruit ripens about the middle of July.—The tree becomes of a tolerable size: the leaves are large, and have a sub-acid taste.

17. The Red Borsdorfer is a variety of the delicious German apple bearing that name, and almost excels the latter, though of a similar size and shape. On one side, this fruit is of a glossy red, and a small part of the other is yellow; dots of the latter colour being dispersed over it, and sometimes also warts. Its flesh is uncommonly white, tender, juicy, and sweet, partaking of the odour of roses. The core is encompassed by a bright-red vein. When stored, this apple ripens about Christmas, at which period the German Borsdorfer begins to decay.—The tree of the red kind is one of the largest standards; bears every year abundant fruit; and its vernal blossoms resist the severity of night-frosts.

18. The Duke of Orleans, usually called the Lord's-Plum (Prune de Monsieur), a middle-sized fruit, of a fine violet colour, with a strong bloom; almost globular; somewhat depressed on the top, with a shallow furrow. When the tree enjoys a good soil and situation, its delicate and sweet pulp melts in the mouth. It ripens so early as the end of July; and the stone readily parts with the pulp.

19. The St. Germain, a well-known and valuable French winter-pear, otten very large; of a pyramidal form, having a thick and dotted green skin; but which, while ripening on the floor, becomes yellow. Its flesh is mellow, frequently granulated about the core, and of a peculiarly delicate taste.

20. The Royal English Apple: there are many varieties comprehended under this denomination; but the genuine sort, is an ingly