THK PLUM IN KANSAS. 45 



The variety nigra is even more hardy than the species, ranging much further 

 northward; its pistils are much stronger and more regular in their development; 

 it bears pollen somewhat less abundantly, and whereas the species has a tendency 

 to be proterogynous. Professor Sargent characterizes the variety (which he calls 

 P. nigra) as proteranderous. This point was not satisfactorily verified in our 

 own examinations this spring. This is the common wild plum of Vermont and 

 neighboring states. 



Wild Goose Group. The plums of the Wild Goose group do not seem to 

 have been generally tried in Vermont. They are usually quite as hardy as the 

 Japanese varieties, and are well worth a trial. The Wild Goose and its most 

 closely related varieties are commonly said to need cross- pollination, and to be 

 themselves weak pollen bearers. Weaver and other americana varieties have 

 usually been recommended as poUenizers, but it would be worth while to de- 

 termine whether or not certain other varieties of P. hortulana which bear 

 abundant pollen are not better for this purpose. 



Marianna Plum. Sexually weak to a marked degree, it is always regarded 

 as an uncertain bearer, and large crops from it are quite exceptional. Its affini- 

 ties in pollination are extremely problematical. At the present time it is most 

 useful as a stock. It grows readily and vigorously from cuttings set in the open 

 ground; it buds or grafts easily ; the unions form readily, and are apparently 

 lasting. To a great extent it has superseded the Myrobalan as a stock. Although 

 of Texas origin, it seems to be perfectly hardy in this state. 



Chickasaw. The name P. chicasa is retained in place of P. an gustifolia , 

 which is technically the correct one for the Chickasaw plum, on account of its 

 familiarity to horticulturists and botanists, and because it is used in Gray's 

 Manual and in "Field, Forest and Garden Botany." These plums form an 

 attractive group, some of the varieties being very prolific and excellent for the 

 table. Although some varieties are sufficiently hardy to make them desirable in 

 Vermont plantings, they are, as a group, better adapted to warmer localities. 

 They do not show, so far as our own study has gone, any special adaptations for 

 cross-pollination. 



The P. alleghanioinis has not been introduced to cultivation, and is quite 

 restricted in its range. P. siibcordata is not known east of the Cascade moun- 

 tains. "In Oregon and northern California the fruit is collected and consumed 

 in large quantities, both fresh and dried, and'is used for preserves and jellies." 

 It is also used as a stock for European plums, P. ambcllafa, locally known as 

 the Hog plum, is known only wild. "The fruit is gathered in large quantities, 

 and is used in making jellies and jams." 



The Dwarf Sand Plum, until recently, has been put into the Chickasaw group, 

 which it most nearly resembles. It is, however, quite distinct ; and in 1894: Pro- 

 fessor Sargent set these peculiar forms off from P. chicasa with the name P. 

 watsoni. The points of distinction are given in the description, on a preceding 

 page. The wild bushes of this species bear abundant crops of superior fruit. 

 The plums are eagerly gathered and used in preserves or jellies. Some few va- 

 rieties have been propagated and introduced, as the Bluemont, by Prof, E. Gale, 

 of Manhattan, Kan., but they have thus far received only local notice. This 

 species, as it grows wild along the Republican and Arkansas rivers in Kansas, is 

 attractive in so many particulars that it would seem very strange did it not eventu- 

 ally achieve some horticultural distinction. Some experiments have been made 

 ■with these plums as dwarf stocks, but no definite results have been reported. 

 P. gracilis bears fruit rather sparsely, and of small size and comparatively in- 



