318 STATE BOARD OP AGRICULTURE. 



PLUMS. 



While the plum trees have not suffered seriously from crowding 

 although but one rod square, eighteen or twenty feet would be better for 

 orchard planting. These trees have also been grown with low heads and 

 this has given good satisfaction. The leaf blight has been held in 

 check by thorough spraying and there has been comparatively little 

 injury from rot. Very little harm has been done by black knot, owing 

 probably to the fact that the trees have been kept thoroughly sprayed. 

 The older trees are now eighteen years old and all of the European 

 varieties are in good condition. Satsuma and some of the Japanese 

 kinds will soon have to be taken out. 



The following list of varieties is recommended : Eed June, Abundance, 

 Burbank and Wickson of the Japanese varieties and Bradshaw, Stark, 

 Lombard, Black Diamond (or Kingston), Grand Duke, Monarch, Shrop- 

 shire and French Damson of the European plums. 



Agen Prune: — An old French variety of the prune type. The tree 

 is thrifty but only a fair bearer. The quality is good and it is desirable 

 for canning purposes. The color is very dark purple but has an undesir- 

 able reddish tinge. Not valuable for market. Free from rot. 



Abundance: — A popular Japanese variety. One of the best of this 

 type for quality. Very tender and juicy when ripe. The trees are 

 vigorous and young, prolific bearers. Very valuable for early market. 



Archduke: — A large, oval, dark blue plum of rather good quality. 

 Kipens early in September, shortly before the Grand Duke. Not as 

 productive nor as large as that variety. The tree is vigorous but only 

 moderately thrifty. The fruit is firm and a good shipper. 



Arctic: — Tree is vigorous and thrifty. Very productive. Fruit is 

 small, of fairly good quality and of a deep, rich purple color. Kipens 

 about the middle of August. Very good for canning and fair for market. 

 Apparently free from rot. 



Bradshaw: — A large, purple plum somewhat tender in texture when 

 ripe. The flesh is rather coarse and of fair flavor. The tree is fairly 

 vigorous and productive. The trees growing here as Odell are identical 

 with Bradshaw. 



Burbank: — One of the best Japanese varieties. The tree is- very 

 vigorous and productive. The color is dark red on yellow ground with 

 numerous yellow specks. Ripens during the third week in August. 

 Quality medium and texture moderately firm. Of good size. Valuable 

 for market. 



Coe (Golden) : — A very large, yellow plum of very good quality. One 

 of the latest in season. Is firm and a good shipper. The tree is vigorous 

 but not a very strong grower. Productive. A late market plum and the 

 best of the Egg type. 



Columbia: — A large, roundish plum of purple color covered with a 

 bluish bloom. Quality very good and the texture firm. The tree is 

 fairly vigorous and thrifty. Productive but late in coming into bearing. 

 Ripens early in September. Good for market or dessert. 



Diamond (Black) : — A very large, handsome plum of a deep, blush- 

 black color. The tree is thrifty and vigorous. Also productive. It is 

 not an eating plum, but one of the best market varieties on trial. Ripens 

 during the latter part of August. 



