184 STATE HORTICULTURA.L SOCIETY. 



grow a class of fruit of great merit, succeeding almost everywhere 

 that the wild plum is found. 



It is my opinion that the Japan plums are to have a permanent 

 place among our fields in Missouri, or, at any rate, to work, in the 

 manner above referred to, such an improvement upon varieties now 

 grown as to be of great value. 



In conclusion, I will repeat, let us test this type of plums thor- 

 oughly. Also do some experimenting in cross-fertilizing in a scientific 

 manner, each one on his own account. The result may astonish us. 

 The best is none too good and all should have it. 



F. H. Speakman, Neosho, Mo. 



DISCUSSION. 



Mr. Wild — With regard to the Wayland plums, they have been 

 exhibited £.t the Sarcoxie Fair for five years in succession, and their 

 Fairs are held the first week in October, so that is its general ripening 

 period in this part of the country. I think it originated in Kentucky, 

 but how far north it would do to plant I am unable to say. I do not 

 think is would do further north than this State. 



Question. Which are the most remarkable growers? 



Answer. The Wotan has proven to be about the best of the 

 growers, so far as I know. 



Question. Is it not a fact that the Japanese plums are all good 

 strong growers? 



Answer. Yes, sir ; Ogontz is not so good as the Wotan. 



Question. Why cannot the blue plums, damsons and others be 

 grown in Newton county ? 



Answer. I can see no reason why a damson plum cannot be grown 

 here successfully. That the damson cannot be grown in Newton county 

 is a surprise to me. In Jefferson City damsons were a drug on the 

 market. 



I ask the question for information. I never see them, and I do 

 not see why they cannot be grown here. The trouble is they will not 

 hold the fruit. They cannot tell why they cannot be grown, whether 

 it is worms or what it is. I think they can be grown here. 



Mr. Tippin — Our experience with blue damsons in Greene county 

 is that the tree will not hold its foliage. They were loaded down in 

 most instances, and the fruit is still on the trees. One would begin to 

 rot, and in a few days the whole cluster would be rotten. 



