CENTRAL TRIAL STATION. 45 
The Aitkin (Fig. 1) is a large, fine 
looking plum, belcnging to what Sar- 
gentcalls the Prunus nigra. It is of 
irregular,roundish form, with a very 
slight suture; bright yellow skin 
overspread with bright red, thick, 
tough; short stalk inserted in a very 
small cavity; firm, sweet flesh of very 
good, rich quality, but not sprightly; 
and nearly a freestone, with a large, 
flat pit. Itis the earliest large plum 
we have, ripening in the middle of 
(Figure 1.) August, several days ahead of the 
Cheney. Itisastrong, vigorous grower. The trees were received 
from the originator, who lives at Nichols, Aitkin Co.,Minn. This 
gives promise of being a very important early variety. 
The Manitoba No. 1 Plum (Fig. 2) was 
received from Thomas Frankland, Stone- 
well, Manitoba. Fruit small, of fair quality; 
flesh and skin free from astringency; skin 
rather thick, red with light bloom; flesh 
yellow, rather coarse; stem, long and 
slender. It ripens about the middle of 
gust at the Experiment Station. The 
tree is thrifty though rather dwarf in 
habit. (Figure 2.) 
The Surprise Plum (Pig. 3) has fruited, 
here for two season. Fruit is large, very 
solid, ripens about the middle of Sep- 
, tember, keeps for a long time and prom- 
jises to be of great value for marketing. 
The form is round oblong; color, yellow- 
ish, overspread with red and light blue 
bloom; stem, long, slender; cavity, some- 
what broad; suture, well defined; skin, 
thin, tough, without astringency; flesh, 
firm, not adhering closely to the stone; 
(Figure 3.) flavor, peach-like, rich, delicious. The tree 
is a remarkably strong, healthy grower and is very strong in the 
crotches, where many of our native plums are weak. On account 
of its productiveness and solidity, I think it destined to becomea 
very popular market sort. 
Raspberries and blackberries fruited well with us. Among those 
especially worthy of mention is the King raspberry, a new variety 
sent out by Thompson & Son, Rio Vista, Virginia. Itis a very early, 
strong growing red raspberry of large size and good quality, well 
adapted to marketing and worthy of trial. It has fruithere for three 
years. 
: The Loudon isa very remarkable red raspberry and seems surely 
‘ destined to become a leading sort for home use and the market. It 
