REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST. 



133 



mental tree, as beautiful in flower, and in habit as 

 weeping cherries, and withal hardy." 



some of the Japan forms of 



PROPAGATION. 



As already stated, it grows easily from seed, and may readily be multiplied by 

 layering. It also throws up suckers, and in common with plants of this habit may be 

 propagated from root cuttings. 



PLUMS. 



Upwards of 60 varieties of Prunus domestica, mostly blue and yellow plums, grown 

 as standards, have been tested in the plum orchard at Ottawa since 1888. This does 

 not include about 20 varieties belonging to the same type but of Russian or Eastern 

 European origin. The greater proportion of the first named class have failed entirely, 

 a small share of them live from year to year being annually cut back by the winters, 

 and a still smaller number have produced a few samples of fruit. Those which have 

 succeeded best are Glass Seedling, Shropshire Damson, Blue Damson, Copper, and Can- 

 ada Egg. The better known commercial varieties like Lombard, Duanes Purple, 

 Munro, and Bradshaw, have failed entirely. Glass Seedling, Shropshire Damson, and 

 Canada Egg, may be grown with fair success in sheltered, city gardens, but are un- 

 reliable in orchard culture. 



A number of Russian plums have been under trial, and are promising as far as 

 hardiness is concerned, but up to date have not given evidence of productiveness, nor 

 have they borne fruit of high quality. Two varieties, however, deserve special mention 

 on account of desirable characteristics of fruit as well as of tree. 



Regel, of St. Petersburg, 

 1890 says : 

 Arab." The 



EARLY RED. 



Imported from Russia by Professor Budd from Dr. 

 Russia, during the winter of 1881-2. Professor Budd writing in 

 " this was sent out quite extensively eight years ago marked "Mixed 

 sorts mixed were Early Red, White Nicholas and Black Arab — now called Black 

 Plum. It has since been proved that nearly all the trees sent out were Early Red, 

 which is our No. 3 from St. Petersburg. The ti'ee has proven hardy as far North, as 

 our native plums can be grown, and an early bearer of purplish red fruit as large as the 

 Lombard, better in quality and two weeks earlier." 



Early red. 



At Ottawa the tree preserves a compact almost globular form, making a slow 

 growth annually, of well ripened wood which thus far has not been injured, even by 30 

 degrees below zero, Fahr. Shoots are slender, of a purplish colour ; leaves, small 

 ovate. 



