242 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



yellow tinge; tree and foliage differ but little, season about the same, per- 

 haps a few days later. 



Weaver. — Fruit large, oblong-oval; skin thin, yellow, mottled with red; 

 flesh firm, flavor excellent, sweet; stone large, flat, smooth, pointed, cling; 

 leaves large, toothed, pubescent underneath; stalk short, glandless; cavity 

 large, suture distinct; season late, end of September. The most popular 

 of the late kinds. 



Wild Goose. — Fruit large, oblong-oval , apex pointed ; skin thin, bright 

 red; flesh not very firm, a little stringy, quality fair; stone clinging, long, 

 pointed; leaves oblong-lanceolate, closely serrate, acuminate, stalks with 

 several glands; shoots smooth, slender, spreading; trees very thrifty and 

 productive; season early, August. Because of earliness, productiveness, 

 and handsome appearance of fruit, one of the best of the native plums. 



SUMMARY. 



1. Within the last few years native plums have been coming some- 

 what into prominence. The opinions of fruitgrowers differ as to their 

 merit. 



2. The market demand for them is limited, although it is steadily 

 increasing for the early kinds. They come into market about three weeks 

 before the European varieties. 



3. The station has tested 35 of the better varieties, which were planted 

 in the spring of 1886, the trees being obtained from D. B. Weir, Lacon, 

 111., and T. V. Munson, Denison, Texas. 



4. In propagating native plums, Marianna and myrohalan stocks are 

 largely used. Prunus Americana is well adapted as a stock for northern 

 climates. 



5. Methods of planting and cultivation do not differ from those used 

 with common plums except that mixed planting must be followed in order 

 to secure the fertilization of many of the native plums. 



6. Native plums are not particular as to soil, although extremes in sand, 

 clay, and muck should be avoided. A soil too strong or too rich in nitrog- 

 enous matter causes a heavy growth of foliage at the expense of pro- 

 ductiveness. 



7. There are about 150 varieties of native plum, embraced in five 

 species, of which the most important are Prunus Americana^ P. hortulana, 

 and P. angustifolia. 



8. The most valuable of the native plums are De Soto, Rollingstone, 

 Weaver, Wild Goose, Miner, and Newman, of which Wild Goose, De Soto 

 and Miner are probably the most popular. 



9. In general the native plums are to be recommended to those who 

 want plums for an early market; because of their immunity from diseases 

 and insects, to the general farmer; and to large growers who want a greater 

 variety of fruits. 



