648 ANNUAL REI'ORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



There are (jiiiti' a good many other kinds h('lon<>in<;' lo lliis j^rouj), 

 that ])roduce fruit of a large size, but in niarJceis where l>uyei-s can 

 choose, the jjluins willi thinner skins are ])referred. 



Tlie Miner grouj) is soinewiiat of a i)leasing modification of the 

 Americanas as jierlains to tlie skin, but is deficient to tlie same degree 

 in the color of the fruit; and on this account is rather unattractive 

 in the package. None of the varieties of this group are early in 

 season. The "Domestica" group which embraces about all the old 

 time garden ])lnms including the Damson, Prune and Oage, shows in 

 its better vai-ielics (hat much greater effort has been given to its im- 

 provement, than is evidenced by any of the native groups. It is 

 still regretably patent that to make a selection of the Domesticas, 

 for commercial orchard ])ui-})oses, would be a very uncertain and 

 lottery like transaction; though in several counties in this state, 

 splendid fruit is occasionally produced from such varieties as Lin- 

 coln, Pond, etc. The Richmond — a Berks county production, while 

 not so large has vigor and productiveness of tree that gives it favor 

 in some localities. Lombard is perhaps planted over a wider area 

 than any other variety of this time honored group; it seems to 

 adapt itself to varied localities more satisfactorily than most of the 

 Domesticas. In quality it is quite variable — j)00i* ^^ all times, but 

 worse some seasons than others. Generally this group offers no 

 specially inviting promises to him who would grow plums for mar- 

 ket. The care and skill necessary to grow the finer kinds make 

 them too expensive to favorably compete with the attractive pro- 

 ducts of the Pacific coast. The many varieties of this group that 

 were imported from Russia some years back, signally failed to ful- 

 fill the high hopes that many plum specialists entertained for them. 

 They are rarely catalogued now by tree propagators. 



The Triflora or Japanese group has assisted very materially in 

 creating a more general interest in this beautiful and wholesome 

 fruit. Fortunately the earliest importations of these contained one 

 of the best varieties of the species — the Abundance. This variety 

 deservedly holds first place in public esteem. Good color, size 

 and quality, with a free growing, healthy handsome and productive 

 tree; it is well equipped for the market orchard. The Chabot ripen- 

 ing two or three weeks later is another variety that has won favor 

 with growers; while the fruit of this is in all respects equal to the 

 Burbank, there is no comparison in the trees; the Chabot with is 

 fine, vigorous u[)right habit in growth, while the limit is overleaped 

 is slovenly, dowdy habit by the Burbank. The Red June another 

 pure Japanses variety proves profitable for markets not too exacting 

 as to quality; its early season and brilliant color usually secure 

 profitable sale for it; the tree is a good grower, of good form, but 

 com])aratively short-lived. These constitute the cream of this group 

 and are about all that are worthy of much thought as commercial 

 kinds. 



Amongst the ''Hybrids" there are a few profitable market sorts; 

 the most promising one is the Sixweeks, a Texas product and clearly 

 the earliest in sparon of any plum, worthy of attention by market 

 growers. A rapid growing tree, forming a rather close head, that 

 i? regular in contour; an abundant bearer of bright colored fruit of 

 full medium size; rather deficient in quality, but attractive to buyers, 

 owing to its very early season and bright red coloring. 



