No. 7. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 113 



QUESTION BOX. 



The following questions were discussed: 



1. Has any Grower from South Western Pennsylvania Handled 

 Paying Crops of Japan Plums? 



Several persons from Western Pennsylvania had planted Japan 

 plums, but the experience of all was they were not a success. 



Mr. Allison: At my home, about 60 miles from here, I have had 

 one crop of Ogon and one crop of Abundance in about 6 years. Buds 

 of Abundance swell in February and are usually injured by spring 

 frosts. I consider the Japan plums worthless in this section. 



Mr. Chase: Climatic conditions in Western Pennsylvania seem 

 peculiar. This is the first time I have heard that these plums are 

 not fruitful. In the eastern portion of the State we have but one 

 trouble, and that is that they are too fruitful. We are obliged to 

 pull off from half to two-thirds of the fruit. In New Jersey and in 

 Western New York there are immense orchards from which the 

 fruit is shipped in carloads. They undoubtedly have their weak 

 points, but in many sections they seem to be the only varieties that 

 can be grown at all. 



The President: I have Abundance, Burbanks, Satsuma, Wickson, 

 Agate, Red June, and others, and all overbear. I am usually obliged 

 to thin twice, and in some cases three times. While not equal in 

 quality to the European varieties, they are valuable on account of 

 their productiveness and ease of cultivation. 



Mr. Barnhart: I have tried all ray life to raise plums, but have 

 found none better than a small yellow plum which originated in 

 Westmoreland county. 



2. What Are the Best Six Varieties of Apples for Western Penn- 

 sylvania? 



Mr. Wakefield: I don't believe we have six varieties of apples that 

 have proven satisfactory in Western Pennsylvania. I was reared 

 upon the farm and we grew many different varieties of apples, and 

 I could not conscientiously recommend any for Western Pennsyl- 

 vania except Baldwin, Grimes Golden and Rome Beauty. 



Grimes Golden is one of the best and most valuable. I hear much 

 about York Imperial and have bought three different varieties under 

 that name, and when I went to Liberty street in Pittsburg, I found 

 I did not have it at all. I know that the three varieties named will 

 do well in this section. 



Mr. Fergus : Rambo is oiur best variety. Next is Seek-no-Further, 

 but it must be grown in upland, or it will be no good. For family 

 use I prefer Roman Stem. Rome Beauty is all right. Ben Davis, 

 too, is profitable. Northern Spy will rot while yon take it to town. 



>i— 7— 1900 



