No. 7. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 649 



America is the only one of the many kinds from the Pacific 

 coast that is sufficiently resistant to brown rot, to hold out a reason- 

 able hope of fair profit as a market plum. 



Gonzales, from Texas is superb in size and appearance, good 

 enough in quality but not sufficiently resistant to Monilia or brown 

 rot to warrant unqualified endorsement. 



The Wayland group embraces some varieties that should be profit- 

 able to grow in most, if not all the counties of this state; the good 

 citizens of which are generally graduates in gastronomy, and never 

 dishonor their diplomas. Your tradition not only perpetuates ; but 

 promotes a liberal domestic provision of sweetmeats and table con- 

 diments, and this group of plums is unequalled in possibilities in 

 that relation. 



For preserving it is unexcelled; and for fruit butter (under the 

 dexterous manipulation of the tactful kitchen queen) it afl'ords a 

 relish, unapproached in its appetizing fascination; for spicing these 

 plums are in every particular, the peer of the best Damson. The 

 trees, too, are not only pleasing to the eye, but distinctly and reliably 

 productive. The Benson is a Nebraska variety, with fruit as large 

 as any of the group, bright cherry red, handsome, and a little earlier 

 in season that the other choice varieties of the group. Tree a very 

 rapid grower with fine healthy foliage. Reed, a trifle later in 

 ripening, but otherwise similar to Benson. The tree of this variety 

 is notably pretty, clothed in showy, large, healthy, foliage; robust 

 and stock in growth, Wayland, still later in season and every way 

 fine. While there are other good varieties in this group, this trio 

 may safely be classed as the select. This class of plums are free 

 from leaf-blight and black-knot — almost immune to injury by the 

 curculio and brown rot and Avhen well ripened are very acceptable 

 for eating out of hand. ^Wiy not grow them for the markets? 



The Wildgoose group has in many localities established its value 

 for commercial planters, and at this day requires no certification 

 of merit in its discussion, farther than an expression of preference 

 as to varieties. Briefly stated — the Milton for early, followed by 

 Wildgoose and Whitaker and finished up with the Mrs. Cleveland, 

 give the planter the most profitable varieties of the group, for a 

 commercial orchard, all of these kinds are very productive when 

 properly pollinated. 



It is a generally known fact that the kinds named in this group, 

 whether planted separately or together will prove unsatisfactory 

 in bearing. Yet the Simley, classed in this group — interspersed in 

 such planting supplies at the right period effective pollen. 



The Chicasaw group offers nothing to large, or market growers 

 that would warrant their use in anyway, except as pollinators. For 

 nearby or local markets, the Munson possesses merit; more on ac- 

 count of its size and early season that is quality. It is too soft for 

 distant market. Newman is quite a productive variety and some 

 seasons attains size large enough, but it keeps the grower guessing 

 as to when he will finish picking them, as its fruit ripens over a 

 long period. These two varieties are both, thoroughly reliable as 

 effective pollinators for the Wildgoose type. 



