THE PLUM IN KANSAS. 25 



Some of the specimens measured six and three-fourths inches. The fruit was 

 very evenly distributed over the tree. My method of trimming plum trees is to 

 cut back at least two-thirds of each season's growth, and in the spring of 1897 I 

 cut oflf from this tree many sprouts that measured six feet in length, leaving a 

 stub three feet long. I believe that this tree, when the fruit was fully ripe, was 

 the finest sight I ever saw in the fruit line." 



PLUMS THAT SUCCEED. 



People are becoming more interested in plums since the Japanese varieties 

 were introduced. The introduction of this type has also increased the interest 

 in varieties belonging to other classes. People are eagerly seeking information 

 regarding varieties, and the experience of William Jenkins, of Knoxville, Tenn., 

 as given below, will doubtless be of interest to those contemplating setting plums. 



Of the Japanese plums, Abundance, Burbank and Wickson have given the 

 best results. Abundance is the best known of this class. It is very productive, 

 and the fruit should be thinned to secure large specimens. Burbank is also well 

 known. It is considered by Prof. L. H. Bailey as the best Japanese plum yet 

 tested in New York. The fruit of Wickson is very large, deep maroon-red, firm, 

 and of good quality. Besides the Japanese varieties, Mr. Jenkins regards the fol- 

 lowing successful: Bradshaw, the fruit of which is large, dark purple, juicy, 

 good, slightly acid; tree vigorous and productive. Lombard, medium size, violet 

 red, fiesh deep yellow, pleasant, fine quality; tree very prolific. Saratoga, oval, 

 brownish red, flesh pale yellow; a late variety. Spaulding, medium size, yellow, 

 green marbled, flesh pale yellow, very sweet. Peter's Yellow Gage, large, rich 

 yellow, crimson dots next the sun, flesh greenish yellow, rich, sweet, very good. 

 Archduke, large, black, prolific, late. Grand Duke, very large, good quality, 

 productive, color of Bradshaw. — Southern Florist and Gardener. 



FOUR VERY CHOICE VARIETIES. 



Luther Burbank, of California, who began his work by originating the Bur- 

 bank potato while living in his native state of Massachusetts, has made a last- 

 ing mark in American horticulture as the originator of new fruits and flowers. 

 Professor Van Deman has recently given an interesting sketch in the Bural New 

 Yorker of Mr. Burbank and some of his remarkable achievements, from which 

 the following in regard to late work with plums is reproduced: 



Royal is the result of a cross made by using pollen of Simon upon one of 

 the Botans. It is about the largest plum I have ever seen, except Kelsey. The 

 shape is oval and quite regular. In color it is a deep, reddish purple, very rich 

 looking and attractive. The flesh is yellow and firm until fully ripe, when it be- 

 comes melting and juicy. It is almost a freestone. The flavor is a pleasant sub- 

 acid, with a peculiar aroma that is deliciously refreshing. The quality is much 

 better than that of any early plum I know, and is good compared with any kind. 

 It ripens before Willard or Red June. 



Bartlett, another variety, is a cross of Simon upon Delaware. Its size is 

 medium to large and the shape peculiar, being decidedly heart-shaped, with a 

 distinct suture on one side. The color is a dull purplish red. The flesh is yel- 

 lowish and soft when fully ripe. The stone is large and long. Its flavor is very 

 peculiar, being like that of the Bartlett pear; hence the name. The quality is 

 very good to best, which, with its earliness, productiveness, and vigor of tree, 

 ought to place it well up in the scale. 



Chalco is a seedling of Burbank pollenized by Simon, and resembles the 

 Simon in shape, which is flat, but is larger and very much better in quality. I 

 would call it very good, and quite free from the peculiar bitterish flavor of the 



