The three varieties of plum that stand out conspicuously as favorites in
the United States and Canada are the Imperial Gage, Jefferson and
Lombard. The first and last named are recommended for general
cultivation in twenty-two States and Provinces, and the other in
twenty-one. The double star of superiority is given to the Imperial Gage
in four widely separated States, to the Jefferson and the Lombard each
in five.
The Imperial Gage is of American origin, having been raised from seed of
the Green Gage, in Prince’s nursery, at Flushing, on Long Island, in the
State of New York. The fruit is of full medium size, oval in form, and
when fully ripe is peculiarly marbled with green stripes on a
yellowish-green ground and covered with a thick white bloom. The flesh
has a greenish color, is very juicy and rich, ranking in quality as
“best.” It ripens during the first half of September. This plum is
mentioned in the Reports of the Association as being cultivated in the
counties of Brant, Carleton, Durham, Elgin, Frontenac, Grey, Glengarry,
Halton, Huron, Lambton, Lincoln, Middlesex, Norfolk, Peel, Perth,
Peterborough, Victoria, Waterloo, Welland, Wellington, Wentworth and
York. In the county of Victoria it is spoken of as being most productive
and profitable for market.
The Jefferson plum was raised by the late Judge Buel, of Albany, in the
State of New York. The tree is a moderate grower, but bears well and
regularly. The fruit is large and showy, of a golden yellow color, with
cheek of purplish-red, and thinly covered with white bloom. The flesh is
of a rich orange, juicy, luscious, and very high flavored, quality
“best.” It ripens in the end of August or beginning of September. It is
reported as being cultivated in the counties of Brant, Carleton, Durham,
Elgin, Grey, Glengarry, Halton, Huron, Lincoln, Perth, Peterborough,
Wellington and Wentworth.
The Lombard plum received this name from the Massachusetts Horticultural
Society as a token of respect to Mr. Lombard, of Springfield, who
brought it into notice in that State. It is generally believed to have
been raised from seed by Judge Platt, of Whitesborough, New York. It is
a very vigorous and healthy tree, adapting itself to almost every soil,
and is immensely productive. The fruit is of medium size, of a delicate
violet-red color, thinly overspread with bloom. The flesh is deep
yellow, juicy, pleasant, but not high flavored. In quality it ranks only
as “good.” It ripens with us in the latter part of August. This variety
has been widely disseminated throughout the Province, and is cultivated
in nearly if not quite every county. In the counties of Brant, Bruce and
Oxford it is reported as being the most productive of all the varieties
cultivated, and the most esteemed for market purposes. In Carleton,
Durham, Elgin, Grey, Halton, Huron, Lincoln, Middlesex, Northumberland,
Ontario, Perth, Simcoe, Victoria, Waterloo, Welland, Wellington and
Wentworth, it is mentioned as being among the most productive of the
varieties grown. This plum is probably more generally planted than any
other variety on account of the healthy character of the tree and its
immense productiveness, by reason of which some fruit usually comes to
maturity despite the ravages of the Curculio.
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