Jrom Botanical and Economic Aspects. 227 
however, the fruit and stalk be both plucked, these have a 
finer and more natural aspect than has the fruit alone, while 
bleeding is thus completely prevented. 
The second and more serious objection is the frequent 
puncture of the young fruit—probably by some insect—and 
the resulting formation of a hard, black core of material run- 
ning through the pulp into the stone. Such a condition, how- 
ever, is only shown by certain types of blue-black and blue- 
purple color, and is almost, or entirely, absent from others, 
notably from the red-yellow and yellow varieties. 
Where such puncture cores are developed, they secrete or 
attract around themselves tannin products, that give a harsh, 
disagreeable taste to the pulp. It has been impossible as yet 
to determine the animal that forms them. The effects resemble 
those caused by the plum weevil, though no larva has as yet 
been noticed in the fruit. When a variety of the Beach Plum 
is liable to this foe, it is difficult to find one sound and sweet 
fruit on any bush, on the other hand many, and some of the 
best varieties are free from it in every plant. 
It is highly desirable that tests be made of the plants on 
prepared sandy land where it might be manured, pruned, 
irrigated if necessary, and the results accurately recorded. 
We would venture to entertain the hope that this hitherto 
wild plant might become, under fair cultivation and judicious 
selection, one of our most valuable fruits, and one which, for 
about two months of every year, might supply our markets 
with a cheap and delicious fruit. 
THE RELATION AND POSSIBLE ORIGIN OF VARIETIES OF 
THE BEACH PLUM. 
When so many varietal forms are shown in fruits of a single 
species, it might be supposed that such variations would 
originate only in one or a few centers that were recently 
connected geographically with each other. Instead of this 
