380 SYSTEMATIC POMOLOGY 



not so large nor so handsonu' in color as some of its offspring, 

 Satsuma is still one of the best of these red-fleshed varieties for 

 quality of fruit. The plums keep and ship well, and if of suffi- 

 eient size and allowed to eolor properly, make a good showing 

 on the markets. The trees are above the average for the species 

 in size, habit, health, hardiness, and productiveness, though they 

 bear sparingly when young. Satsuma was raised from seeds sent 

 to Luther Burbank by a Japanese agent in 1883 ; it was intro- 

 duced in 1889. 



Tree medium to large, vigorous, upright-spreading, usually hardy, pro- 

 ductive, bearing heavier crops as tlie tree becomes older. Fruit midseason 

 or later; 2 inches in diameter; round-cordate, flattened at the base, com- 

 pressed, halves unequal ; cavity deep, narrow, abrui)t, compressed ; suture 

 prominent ; apex pointed ; color dark dull red, with thin bloom ; dots numer- 

 ous, russet, conspicuous, clustered about the apex; stem slender, % inch 

 long, glabrous; skin of medium thickness and toughness, bitter, semi-ad- 

 herent; flesh dark purplish-red, juicy, tender at the skin, tough at the cen- 

 ter, sweet, with an almond-like flavor; of good quality; stone clinging, 

 oval, strongly pointed, rough, red. 



Sub-group 5. Flesh Yellow 



587. Wickson (Fig. 213).— The fruit of Wickson is the largest 

 of the Oriental plums, if not the largest of all plums; it is of 

 handsome color and distinct form; the flesh 

 is firm and of a peculiar flavor, generally 

 considered pleasant. These characters and 

 the narrow upright tree, wdth its long lance- 

 olate leaves, mark the variety as a new and 

 a valuable addition to pomology. In the 

 East, Wickson is a little tender in tree and 

 bud, hardy only wiiere the peach can be 

 grown ; it blossoms too early to be safe from 

 frost ; it is susceptible to brown-rot ; the trees 

 Fig. 213. w ickson. ^j.g j^^g jj^ coming in bearing and are not 

 reliable in fruiting; the fruits ripen un- 

 evenly; and the trees are not of good form for heavy crops. 

 In California, Wickson is one of the leading Japanese sorts. It 

 is the best known of Burbank 's many plums. It was first de- 

 scribed in 1892. 



