Prunes are dried plums. French plums are the best dried plums. Prunes are chiefly used for stewing. French plums are fit for dessert.

Normandy Biffens are apples dried in stove heat till they look shrivelled. They are excellent stewed in syrup.

Almonds

Constituent parts: Gum - Albumen - Sugar - Woody fibre - Fixed oil.

The almonds (sweet and bitter) are the kernels of two varieties of a stone fruit-tree growing in Spain, Italy, and Barbary. An essential oil of a highly poisonous nature is distilled from the bitter almond. Of sweet almonds, the Jordan are thought the best for dessert.

Currants

Currants are the small grape of Corinth and the Ionian islands dried. They are very indigestible even cooked. It is cheapest to buy the very best, as the weight of the common ones is affected by the dirt mixed with them.

1. Red Crystallized Oranges.

2. Barberries.

3. Crystallized Currants.

4. Orange Compote.

5. Mavena Pudding.

6. Thatched Pudding.

7. Green Caps.

The Fig

Constituents of 1 lb. of dried figs.