REPORT OF THE POMOLOGIST. 261 



large, of a creamv white color, often slightly blushed, and of a very- 

 sweet and delicate flavor. Of grapes there was a very fine exhibit. 

 Judging from the specimens upon the table, from what was testified 

 in the meeting, and from what' I saw in ^^ineyards visited in several 

 parts of the State, it is safe to say that nearly ail varieties of native 

 American grapes and some foreign varieties do remarkably well. 

 Rot and mildew are prevalent to some extent, but not to such a damag- 

 ing degree as in many other States. This is o^ving to the drier condi- 

 tion of the atmosphere. In several \dneyard8 the Triumph, which 

 is a variety that usually succeeds poorly in the Xorth. was seen bear- 

 ing very large clusters in abundance. Here the Herbemont, which 

 is too tender for the Xorthern States, seems to be at home. Among 

 the plums, Kelsey's Japan is jjerhaps now attracting more attention 

 in Texas than any other variety. It has been planted there in a 

 limited vraj since 'l885, but in only one or two cases has fruit been 

 noticed ; indeed, it could not be expected on trees so young, although 

 it is an early beaj-er. In some cases, towards the northern line of the 

 State, the trees were reported tender. Special notes upon this fruit 

 will be found in another part of this report. 



Prunus Simonii is another new variety that was well reported by 

 all who had experience with it. I saw it growing in several portions 

 of Texas, and for that matter in many other States, and in all cases 

 it has proven a hardy and a thrifty grower. However, its very recem; 

 introduction has prevented the bearing of fruit so far, except in a 

 very few cases. Perhaps the best information that can be given is 

 to quote the words of Prof. T. V. Munson, of Denison, Tex., on whose 

 grounds I saw the largest trees : 



It fruited vrMi me in 1885 ^ov the first time, probably tlie first in the United 

 States. The fruit when ripening shines like apples of gold, becoming a rich rer- 

 mihon when fully ripe. It ripens shortly after Wild Goose, and showed no defects 

 from attacks of curculio or rot, wliich were very abundant in 1885 and destroyed 

 all my blue plums. It is very firm and meaty, equal to any blue plum I have 

 ever eaten, and will carry any desired distance. Tree very thrifty, upright; early 

 and an abundant bearer; hardy in Iowa, and endures Texas drought to perfection. 



The Blackman Plum, which has been very generally planted for 

 several years, has not, m any case reported, been known to bear fruit, 

 although it has often bloomed. It is now quite well proven that it 

 is a hybrid between the peach and plum, and, like many hybrids, is 

 sterile As a fruit-bearing tree it is a failure, and shourd not be 

 planted by any one. 



The Japan Persimmon, where it is hardy, seems to be steadily win- 

 ning its way into the favor of planters. The trees are often tender 

 when young, but when several years old will stand rather more cold 

 than figs. In the southern part of Indian Territorv I saw a tree 

 some ten feet high which the owner told me had tlie year before 

 borne about a bushel of fruit, and which then had on it several large 

 specimens. The Japan Persimmon is unlike our native species in 

 that its flowers are perfect — that is, have both stamens and pistils in 

 one flower — while ours has the two sexes on different trees. Apples 

 seem to do moderately well in a great many places in the northern 

 part of the State, but late keepers are very scarce. The Ben Davis 

 seems to be one of the best for that section. As the center of the 

 State is approached the climate becomes too warm, and apple culture 

 has to be abandoned. Dallas is the name of a new blackberr^ that 

 originated near the city of that name, and is grown quite largely and 

 very successfully in that locaKty, 



