NOTES ON THIRTY-TWO VARIETIES OF PLUMS. 



land, now operates against the Mercer or Irish potato, which seems to have degenerated 

 in vio'or, and has at length yielded to those adverse influences (which the sweet potato 

 never could withstand) that had been imperceptibly, though no less certainly impairing 

 its constitution for many years previous; and that sandy loam, open and porous soils, 

 which allow the excess of moisture to pass off freely from the plants, whereby severe 

 storms act like gentle showers merely to moisten the roots and invigorate the plants, and 

 the genial rays of the sun thereafter meliorate the land to the great benefit of the grow- 

 ing crop — is the most certain land on which to depend for a good crop. 



Respectfully, William Paert. 



Cinnaminson, Burlington county^ N. J., \st mo. 24, 1851. 



NOTES ON THIRTY-TWO VARIETIES OF PLUMS. 



BY C. REAGLES, Esq., SCHENECTADY, N. Y. 



Living in a plum growing district, where the fruit is produced in great perfection and 

 abundance, I ma}^ claim a right to know something about plums and plum trees. I there- 

 fore send you a few scraps from my Note Book, in hopes they may be of some benefit to 

 those who are not similarly blessed. 



1. Peach Plum. — I am well satisfied of the impossiblity of successfully cultivating this 

 plum to the northward of New-York. The winters are so severe as to destroy nearly every 

 3'ear the new wood and blossom-buds; consequently fruit from this variety is very rarely 

 obtained. I have grown it for the last twenty-two years; in the nursery, frequently, hun- 

 dreds of trees are entirely destroyed, rarely showing a symptom of vitality on the ap- 

 proach of vegetation the ensuing season. 



2. Lombard. — This variety of native origin, is certainly one of the most profitable 

 plums, for orchard culture, that has as yet come under my notice — not only producing 

 enormous crops of perfect fruit, annually, but at the same time growing vigorously with 

 ordinary attention, accommodating itself to almost every variety of soil; a great desidera- 

 tum in my opinion, for such soils as are not adapted to the general cultivation of the 

 plum. 



3. Schene.ctadrj Catharine. — A variety peculiar to this locality, where it has enjoyed the 

 reputation of a first rate fruit, and deservedly so, as it posseses all the qualities desired, 

 except large size — i. e., hardy, extremely productive, and of a flavor but rarely excelled. 



4. Co2^s Golden Drop. — A great fiivorite wherever it is generally known; this plum 

 has already been extensively planted in this city, although I opine it will not be very pro- 

 fitable to the market grower, as it is rather a shy bearer; but its late maturity and ex- 

 cellent flavor, will always command a place for it in the kitchen and amateur garden. 



5. Coe''s Late Red. — Has been somewhat over praised, as it has nothing to commend 

 it but the lateness of its ripening season. [A quite correct opinion for your latitude, but 

 farther south it is a valuable fruit. Ed.] 



6. Colmnhia. — I have fruited for the last five years; my experience, during which time, 

 goes to prove it hardly worthy of the high encomiums which have so frequently' been be- 

 stowed upon it. The tree is a hardy, vigorous grower, and good bearer, but the fruit is 

 liable to rot. This plum is of a magnificent size and color — flavor rather mediocre. 



7. Bhecker Gage. — A tolerable bearer, and an excellent fruit in all respects. 

 Green Gage. — Assumes a variety of characters in different soils. I have fruited 



the several names of Wilmott's Late Green Gage, Schuyler Gage, Rensselaer 



