i 

 INDIANA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 195 



share of tbe cultivated sorts, but, that the development of this kind of 

 fruit has not been as thorougli, considering other Ivinds, as is possible to 

 secure. 



If the ripening period of the plum could be extended through a longer 

 series of M^eeks, it would be far better. It is true, however, that fresh 

 ripe fruit can be gathered from the trees from the middle of July well 

 onto frost. But it is generally the case with the majority of the varieties, 

 that they ripen too abruptly, the crop on each individual tree maturing 

 too much at one time, which often necessitates immediate attention in 

 order to save the fruit. Yet some exceptionable individual varieties con- 

 tinue ripening their fruit during a period embracing two or more weeks, 

 which makes them especially valuable for table use, but of little value 

 for commercial purposes. 



To consider the plum commercially, would signify its value not so 

 much for the home and market but its qualities exhibited in ripening, 

 shipping and marketing elsewhere. Its economic value then does not 

 belong wholly with the grower, biit to the shipper and consumer as well. 



It is know that many varieties ripen evenly well, ship well, but are 

 far inferior in quality, when used for table or canrring purposes. Some 

 ripen well, cook nicely, but either rot on the tree as soon as matured, or 

 when placed upon the market. There are some that ripen, keep and sell 

 at the best price, as is the case with the Damsen, yet the very existence 

 of the life of the tree depends* upon an attack of that fatal malady, 

 black knot. 



While considering the commercial value of plums, it is not expected 

 that the different varieties should be considered separately, in order to 

 indicate their value, but that such reference may be taken to be excep- 

 tional, rather than typical of any of the classes of plums, as indicated 

 above, which like other fruits possess peculiar characteristic qualities that 

 render them equal or superior to others. 



There are plums that are large, others small, dull or highly colored; 

 sweet, sour or insipid; round or oblong; soft or firm; cling and freestone: 

 early and late; American and Japan, etc., so that the amateur fruit grower 

 may easily find as large a catalogue of varieties as desired to select from. 



In traversing our State it is remarkable to note the comparatively 

 small number of fruit bearing orchards that exist within its borders. 

 Many farmers, as well as citizens of the towns and cities, enjoy the fruit 

 of a few individual trees only, and any extra supply that is needed must 

 be shipped in through the cold storage system and from points often 

 entirely foreign to the consumer. The trees in these dooryards are 

 generally short-lived, when compared with the pear and apple, and con- 

 stant resetting is necessary, resulting in unevenness in the size of the 

 trees as well as in the crops of fruit. These conditions naturally render 

 the cultivation of plums not entirely satisfactory. 



The amount of plums that are usually consumed by each family is 

 not very large, and doubtless could be increased, but many plum growers 



