The greengages must not be over-ripe; leave the stalks on, and prick each plum all over with pins; this done, put them into a copper preserving-pan, containing boiling syrup, of 24 degrees' strength, just off the fire; cover the surface with vine-leaves, and set them aside till next day, when the syrup is to be boiled up separately from the gages, poured back to them, and again covered with fresh vine-leaves: this is to be repeated three successive days; after this, proceed for finishing these, as indicated for apricots,