The Cultivated Native Plums and Cherries. Ill 



species and even upon tlie peach, in some instances. Perhaps the 

 most popular stock at present is the Marianna, because of its 

 habit of growing readily from cuttings, and so far if. aipear'^ to 

 have given satisfaction. The Chickasaw md Hortulana types 

 succeed well upon the peach.. Chickasaw stocks .-prout so hadly 

 that they are in disfavor. In the north., Americana stocks are 

 popular for all the varieties which succeed there. 



23. As to the best varieties, there is great differeuce of opinion. 

 In the northernmost States the Americana class is most reliable, 

 although some of the Hortulanas succeed. For the south the 

 Chickasaws are numerous and popular. The Hortulanas occupy 

 an intermediate position. The merits of particular varieties must 

 be gleaned from the tables on page 48 and succ^eeding j)ages. 



24. The native plums are in most regions comparatively fiee 

 from insect abuses. Although there are no furculio-proof plums, 

 the curculio does less damage to the native varieties Ihan to the 

 common or Domestica types. 



25. Among diseases, a mysterious blight and the peach-rosette 

 are prominent in the south. A fruit-scab and f niitsjjot also occur. 

 The septoria or shot-hole fungus — which causes the serious 

 shedding of leaves in the Domestica plums — does little damage 

 upon the natives. The black-knot, brown fruit -roc and plum- 

 pockets a»e other diseases which the grower ^ill be likely to 

 meet. 



26. As a whole, the native plum industry has niad^ astonishing 

 progress and it has already assumed large proporriojis. It is 

 certain to occupy a large place in future American horticulture. 



2. Cherries. 



27. Eight and perhaps ten species of native cherries are in 

 cultivation. Of these, three are grown for fruit, and all but one 

 or two are cultivated for ornament. None of the species have 

 gained much prominence under cultivation, however. Most of 

 them are of comparatively recent introduction. 



28. The so-called dwarf or sand cherries are much confused, 

 and two, perhaps three species, are passing as Prunus pumila: 

 (a) The true P. pumila, or sand cherry, is a low straggling shrub, 



