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MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



together and then selecting the "best, is a mistake. The university 

 has been trying that plan for several years without success. The 

 fruit in nearly all cases is not as good as the original. 



He recommends that a more systematic plan be tried, by select- 

 ing the best and crossing with European and Japan plums. The 

 Americana crosses readily with the Japan and produces some very 

 desirable fruit, but the trees appear to lack in general cultivation. 

 I would not try to discourage any one from experimenting, but 

 there is no well established cross between Americana and European 

 varieties, and it is found to be almost impossible to cross them with 

 marked success. 



Plum Orchard No. 2, containing 500 trees, mostly Surprise. 



It is doubtful if a plum can be found adapted to all conditions 

 of soil and climate. Nearly all fruits are found to do better in some 

 places than in others. The Americana has a wider adaptation to 

 country than any other variety, and nearly all forms will readily 

 cross — which accounts for the endless varieties we now have. The 

 tendency seems to be to preserve the natural growth of species, 

 without regard to other considerations. 



