238 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



NATIVE PLUMS. 



U. p. HEDRICK. 



Bulletin No. 123. 



Native plums have received but little attention in Michigan. In fact, 

 until the exhaustive study of them made by Prof. Bailey of Cornell, a few 

 years ago, but little had been done elsewhere, and the literature upon the 

 subject was scant and fragmentary. Within the last few years, however, 

 they have been coming somewhat into prominence, but there is still a 

 great difference of opinion among fruitgrowers as to their merit. In a 

 small way they are successfully grown in various parts of the state, and 

 the indications are that large plantations of the better kinds could be made 

 profitable in some localities and under certain conditions. At any rate 

 they deserve to be better known by Michigan fruitgrowers. 



The market demand for them is still somewhat limited, but is steadily 

 increasing for the better kinds, and the careful grower who has access to 

 the large markets, or who controls a small select trade, will find no trouble 

 in disposing of his crop. Good fruits of the American plums come into 

 the markets at least three weeks before the European varieties are market- 

 able. They command prices, when choice and in small packages, ranging 

 from $2 to $4 per bushel. While the demand for the earliest varieties is 

 greater, yet the later ones have qualities which commend them as well 

 worth attention. 



The native plums have many qualities which make them desirable for 

 the general farmer or for home use. The trees of most of the varieties are 

 hardy, vigorous, and very productive. The fruit comes early, keeps well, 

 and has a fine appearance, and, though poorer in quality and inferior in 

 size, is very acceptable as offering a greater variety of fruits. A strong 

 point with those who grow them in a small way is their comparative immu- 

 nity from insects and fungous diseases. 



NATIVE PLUMkS AT THE EXPEKIMENT STATION. 



It is doubtful if a much more comprehensive orchard of native plums 

 can be found than this station's plantation. It consists of 80 trees, 

 embracing 35 of the better varieties planted in the spring of 1886, the 

 trees having been obtained of D. B. Wier of Lacon, 111., and T. V. Munson 

 of Denison, Texas. The soil of the orchard is a well drained clay loam, 

 having a stiff subsoil composed of gravel and clay. The trees were planted 

 18 feet apart each way. Crops of vegetables have been grown in the 



