27 OCTOBER 1950, Page 13

COUNTRY LIFE

I wAs wandering along one of the green rides (disused mediaeval roads) that criss-cross the plateau of the Essex uplands above Saffron Walden, when I encountered a tree laden with blue fruit ; a rich, royal blue. I recognised that long, small plum known throughout the south of England as " zwitchins," or " swithins." I don't, know how to spell it, for it is not in the dictionary. But I have discussed it with one or two people, and find that in Germany the same plum is called Zwetschgen. I once had a garden in Essex with two of these trees, and every year the yield of fruit was abundant. It made both jam and fruit-cheese. It is so sweet that it can be stewed and eaten without sugar. The fruit is clean, with a free stone, bright yellow flesh and blue skin. In these days of sugar shortage country folk might well enquire of the nursery- man about this tree.