278 State Horticultural Society. 



dance and generally distributed by J. T. Lovctt in 1888." Thus mak- 

 ing fifteen years that the plum has been on trial in this country. 

 While the good qualities of the Abundance may fall somewhat short 

 of the unstinted praise given it by the introducer, it has at least main- 

 tamed a very satisfactory reputation for hardiness, strong growth, 

 early and abundant bearing and for fruit of good size and excellent 

 quality. Of the well-known sorts this is undoubtedly one of the most 

 profitable Japanese plums on the list. "The lUirbank was imported 

 from Japan in 1885 by Luther Burbank; introduced to the trade gen- 

 erally in 1889," one year later than the Abundance, consequently it 

 has been tested fourteen years. As a profitable plum it is doubtful 

 that any of the imported Japanese plums combine more good qualities 

 than the Burbank. Its hardiness and vigorous growth, early and 

 prolific bearing, of large attractive fruit, of good quality, has brought 

 it rapidly into notice and caused it to become a general favorite. 

 The Red June has not been so generally planted, but seems to show 

 some promise. Specimens of the fruit exhibited at the last Grundy 

 county fair were large and fine. Of the hybrid class of plums the 

 America, originated by Luther Burbank, deserves special mention as 

 a vigorous growing tree and an extra early and prolific bearer. The 

 fruit is not equal to the Abundance or Burbank in quality, but is 

 good size and when fully colored is very attractive. It certainly 

 gives great promise as a market variety. The Wickson, another of 

 Mr. Burbank's hybrids, is a fine plum, but has not shown the hardi- 

 ness of the Abundance or Burbank. Trees planted previous to the 

 severe winter of 1899, were mostly killed outright or badly damaged. 

 Trees planted since that time have made good growth, but have not 

 shown early fruiting qualities. Some of the hybrid class of plums 

 more recently introduced may prove to have greater value, but from 

 what I know of Japanese plums at the present time I would choose 

 the Abundance and Burbank for profit. 



EXPERIENCE IN GROWING PEARS. 



r. 



(J. L. Erwin, Steedman, Mo.) 



r 



My experience in growing pears for market is limited to the 

 past eight or ten years and then to but few varieties. 



Observation teaches me that the pear, like the oak and hickory 

 in natural growth, finds only a few favored spots where soil and ex- 

 posure are favorable to its best development. Like almost all others 



