meet 
EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 149 
clude a few Russians, 200 Wealthy, 100 Fameuse and G. Russet and a few 
Duchess and crab trees. 
Since the appointment of this experiment station more special atten- 
tion has been given to native plums than to any other fruit; and the re- 
sults of the last year tend to confirm the opinion that a more general 
knowledge of their character and habits is very desirable, and that they 
will bountifully respond to cultivation and well repay for all trouble and 
expense, whether for home use or for the city markets. There are now on 
the grounds fifty or more varieties, thirty of which are in bearing. With 
the consent and co-operation of the central station these experiments 
will be made a specialty in the future as in the past. 
DISCUSSION. 
Mr. Harris: Mr. Lord first called my attention to his Rolling- 
stone plum a great many years ago, and ever since that I have 
taken every opportunity that presented itself to inform him of 
new varieties. While the Rollingstone plum is probably the 
plum that most people would prefer because of its fine eating 
qualities; still, Mr. Lord does not claim that it is the best 
variety for all purposes. I have no doubt but that it is a valu- 
able acquisition for the people of Minnesota, as from what I 
have seen of it in other places, it seems to be doing well in other 
parts of the state. : 
Mr. Lord: I would like to emphasise this statement of Mr. 
Harris in regard to its being a valuable acquisition to our native 
fruit. I have received many expressions of that kind from the 
' United States Pomologist, Mr. Van Deman; and from Mr. 
Rogers, well known throughout the United States; and from a 
man who is now dead, Mr. Gibbs of Ontario; and from different 
persons in Michigan. Also from Prof. Bailey, from Secre- 
tary C. W. Garfield of the American Society in Ohio, from 
several parties in Illinois, Secretary Regan of Indiana, and 
from numerous places in Wisconsin, Colorado and Iowa. 
Mr. Harris: This is a valuable acquisition, as I said before. 
Mr. Lord believes that we have other natives that will also be- 
come valuable. One of the most important things about this 
plum in question is the length of time it will keep after it ripens. 
Itcan be shipped from here to New York with a certainty of its 
arriving there in excellent condition. That cannot be said of 
nine out of ten of our natives. 
Dr. Frisselle: Are they better than the Desota plum? 
Mr. Lord: They are a better eating plum, but I do not sup- 
pose they are any better when cooked. The skin peels off this 
plum as easily as you would peel a boiled potato. It has more 
solid meat than any other plum, and is of avery delicious flavor. 
