64 THE PLUM IN KANSAS. 



drive through with a mowing-machine. I cannot cultivate my older trees any 

 more. I have to mow the weeds with a scythe, and I always have a good crop of 

 them. I mow but once in a season, when we want to commence to pick the 

 plums. My opinion of the profitableness of plum raising is good. I had 130 

 bushels last year, which sold for §1.25 per bushel; could have sold as many more 

 if I had had them. Many people will not plant trees because they have planted 

 a few and cannot raise any, and think to plant — say fifty trees — is too costly an 

 investment with nothing in sight. And again, many of our " hogs-and-corn " 

 Kansans would not be willing to humble themselves; get down on their knees 

 and crawl around under the trees and pick the fruit off the ground, like we have 

 to, but let them go to waste even after having raised them. 



Geo. A. Wise, Reserve, Brown county. I have twenty plum trees in bear- 

 ing which have been planted five years; they are Wild Goose, Golden Beauty, 

 and Miner ; Wild Goose is the best bearer. My soil is black loam, on a high 

 level. I plant from ten to fifteen feet apart, but think it too close. Have no 

 regular system of gathering the fruit; have never sold any. They usually bring 

 from one to three dollars per bushel. Have never grown, budded or grafted my 

 own trees. If planting over, I would set out Wild Goose, and some other varie- 

 ties, twenty feet apart each way, and set them deeply. My neighbors grow 

 plums, but not extensively. I consider them a good paying crop in this locality. 



J. B. Saxe, Fort Scott, Bourbon county. I have 100 plum trees in bear- 

 ing, planted from eight to ten years; they are Wild Goose, Miner, Bradshaw, 

 Weaver, etc. The best bearer is Wild Goose. Of the Japanese varieties I have 

 tried Abundance. Those doing best for me are Wild Goose and Miner. My soil 

 is clay, nearly level. I have grown, budded and grafted my own trees. If plant- 

 ing over, I would put out only a half-dozen Wild Goose for my own use. My 

 neighbors grow plums, but not extensively. Do not consider them a good pay- 

 ing crop in this locality. 



S. F. Garri-son, El Dorado, Butler county. I have twenty plum trees in 

 bearing, planted twelve and fourteen years. They are Wild Goose, Seedling 

 Goose, Miner, several wild varieties, Wyandotte, Damson, and Marianna. The 

 wild varieties are the best bearers. My soil is upland, sloping to the east. Plant 

 the trees 10x15 feet. Gather the fruit from July to September; sell at El Do- 

 rado, receiving 81.50 per bushel. If planting over, I would set out Wild Goose, 

 Miner, and Damson. My neighbors are not growing plums. I do not consider 

 them a good paying crop in this locality. The insects are very troublesome. 



Dick May, Elk, Chase county. I have Wild Goose and Sand-hill plum 

 trees, eight years planted ; the Sand-hill is the best bearer in this locality. My 

 soil is sandy bottom, sloping to the east. Plant eight feet apart; use the fruit 

 at home. I have tried several wild varieties, and found them excellent. Have 

 never grown, budded or grafted my own trees. If planting over, I would put 

 out the varieties I am now growing. My neighbors grow plums. I consider it a 

 good paying fruit in this locality. 



Jere. Ellexson, Chautauqua, Chautauqua county. I have twenty-five 

 plum trees in bearing, planted from fifteen to twenty years; they are Wild Goose, 

 Washington, and Chickasaw. The best bearer is the Wild Goose, but the Wash- 

 ington is a close second. Washington is best for market. My soil is sandy, with 

 clay subsoil, sloping to the south ; plant 161 feet apart, and gather the fruit when 

 it begins to turn red. Sell in the orchard, at one dollar per bushel. Have tried 

 one wild variety, and found it worthletrs. Have never grown, budded or grafted 



