194 Bulletin 131. 



of the most hardy of the plum family and where this is an essential, it should 

 be more generally planted, provided the soil is inclined to be heavy. On 

 some of the light soils of Michigan we have known of its dropping the fruit 

 badly before mature. Its large size and fine qualities for canning make a 

 demand for this purpose among those engaged in this industry which would 

 warrant its cultivation more largely. It ripens about the middle of August, 

 is of low quality and in no sense a desirable fruit to eat from the hand. 



Velloiv Gage is a general name for a class of yellow plums, of which Peter's 

 Yerow Gage is the best fci western New York. 



Japanese Plums. 



Abundance. — A variet)^ of the Japanese plum which I have now been 

 fruiting for eight or nine years. I regard it as one of the best of several of 

 the family that I have tested and so well known as to need no description. 

 Quality good and productive ; tree hardy and vigorous, but in no sense equal 

 in my estimation to the next, 



Burbank. — A variety sent out by Mr. Luther Burbank, of Santa Rosa, 

 California, and well described in Bulletin io6 of the Cornell Experi- 

 ment Station. The tree is very hardy and vigorous, but the most sprawling 

 in its habits of growth of any plum I have ever cultivated. As regards pro- 

 ductiveness, it is unequaled by any plum I have ever fruited. To produce 

 the finest fruit heavy thinning should be practiced. The quality is excellent 

 and it is destined to become one of the most popular of all plums for can- 

 ning, while its attractive color, good quality and shipping properties will 

 cause it to be sought for as a market variety. It ripens ten days to two 

 weeks later than Abundance. I have had it in fine condition the last week 

 in August and early in September. 



Kelsey. — This variety has winter-killed to such an extent that I abandoned 

 any effort to fruit it and am sure if the variety obtained was true to name 

 that it cannot be grown as an orchard tree at this place. [We still hear of 

 the Kelsey being fruited in New York, but in every case which we have 

 investigated some other Japanese variety has been misnamed the Kelsey. 

 The farthest north which I have ever known the true Kelsey to fruit is 

 southern Delaware. — i,. H. B.] 



Ogon. — INIcdium to large; color lemon yellow; flesh firm and a good 

 shipper ; perfect free-stone ; quality poor ; inclined to drop badly before 

 mature, and is only a fair producer. I see no reason why it should be 

 planted in the commercial orchard, but is a good canner. Have had it in 

 fruit for several years. 



True Sweet Botan. — Received from J. C. Normand, of Marksville, 

 Louisiana. It closely resembles the Abundance in wood and fruit, and yet 

 it seems inclined to ripen a few days earlier ; of better quality and apt to 

 take on a brighter red color ; hardy and productive. 



Willard. — This variety, with several others, was obtained in a lot of cions 

 obtained in California several ^-cars since and in which I became specially 



