THE DRUPE-FRUITS 145 



207. Status of Japanese plums in American pomology. — In 



spite of the fact that these plums have been grown in America 

 less than a half century, no less than ninetj^-two varieties are 

 under cultivation. At first they were considered desirable only 

 for the southern states, but most of them prove to be nearly 

 as hardy as the Domestica plums in the northern states, and they 

 are now widely distributed north and south. Undoubtedly the 

 most valuable attribute of Japanese plums is wide realm of 

 adaptability, it having turned out that they are adapted to a 

 much wider range of conditions than the Domesticas. Even 

 where both types of plums succeed, the newer plum introduces 

 several very desirable features. Thus, as a species, the Japanese 

 are more vigorous and productive than the Domestica plums, 

 earlier in coming in bearing, and freer from diseases, espe- 

 cially black-knot and leaf-blight. They are also less subject 

 to curculio than the native and European species ; the fruits 

 keep longer than those of the better-known Europeans, and 

 ship as well. As compared with native varieties, the plums 

 from Japan are larger, handsomer, and better flavored, and keep 

 and ship better. 



Some disadvantages are that Japanese plums blossom so early 

 as often to be caught by spring frosts; they are subject to 

 brown-rot; for the most part they are clingstones; the species 

 is less hardy to cold than the Domestica plums; lastly they are 

 inferior in quality to the varieties from Europe. The last 

 fault is so serious that, though the average for the Japanese 

 plums is high, making them unquestionably more desirable in- 

 habitants of the orchard than any of the native species, they 

 cannot compete Avith the Domesticas where the two types can be 

 equally well gi^own. 



Simom 's plum. 



This plum came to France from China about 1867, thence to 

 America shortly after. The wild form has not been found. 



208. The botanical characters of Simon's plum. — The follow- 

 ing description is of plants as they grow in American orchards : 



5. Frunus Simonii, Carriere. Tree small upright, dense, hardy, unpro- 

 ductive. Leaves folded upward, oblong-lanceolate, narroAv, long ; upper 

 surface dark green, smooth, shining ; lower surface pale green, with promi- 



