52 



THE PLUMS OF NEW YORK. 



and even yet they are but barely known in European orchards. The 

 species was introduced into this country from Japan about 1870 by a 

 Mr. Hough of Vacaville, Cahfomia. According to Bailey,' who has given 

 much attention to these plums, Mr. Hough obtained his trees from a Mr. 

 Bridges, United States Consul to Japan. John Kelsey, Berkeley, Cali- 

 fornia, produced the first ripe fruit of the Triflora plums in America in 

 1876 and 1877, ^^^ impressed by their value began recommending them. 

 Owing to Mr. Kelsey's efforts the propagation of these plums was begtm 

 on a large scale about 1883 by W. P. Hammon & Co., of Oakland, who 

 commemorated Mr. Kelsey's labors by naming the plum after him. The 

 success of the Kelsey started the importation and origination of varieties 

 and a veritable boom in Japanese plums was soon under way. 



This fruit is a most valuable addition to our pomology, no less than 

 ninety-two varieties now being under cultivation in America. At first it 

 was thought desirable only for the southern states, but it proved to be 

 nearly as hardy as the Domestica plums in the northern states and was 

 soon widely distributed north and south. Beyond question it has suffered 

 from over-praise, which has led to over-planting. As was of necessity 

 the case, many untested and worthless varieties were offered fruit-growers, 

 and these, with the failure of some of the extravagant claims for the really 

 meritorious varieties, have given the Triflora plums a bad reputation 

 with many fruit-growers. Now we have cultivated plums of this species 

 for forty years and there has been time for the excitement of their discovery 

 and the consequent reaction to abate making it possible to arrive more 

 nearly at their true place in pomology. 



The plums of this species possess several striking features that com- 

 mend them to fruit-growers. Undoubtedly the most valuable attribute 

 of the Triflora plums as cultivated fruits is their wide range of adapt- 

 ability. All must admit that this group of varieties is less valuable than 

 the Domestica varieties where both succeed, but the Triflora plums are 

 adapted to a much wider range of country and of conditions than the 

 Domesticas. But even where both types of plums succeed the newer 

 plum introduces several very desirable features quite aside from additional 

 variety which the many distinct sorts furnish. Thus, as a species, the 

 Trifloras are more vigorous, productive, earlier in coming in bearing and 

 more free from diseases, especially black -knot and leaf-bUght, than the 



' Cornell Sta. Bui. 62:3. 1894. 



