80 THE PLUM IN KANSAS. 



The branches are thorny, the head rather bushy, with narrow, lanceolate serru- 

 late leaves, looking at a little distance somewhat like those of a peach tree. It 

 usually grows about twelve or fourteen feet high; but on the prairies of Arkan- 

 sas it is only three or four feet high, and in this form it is also common in Texas. 

 The Dwarf Texas plum described by Kendrick is only this species. It is quite 

 ornamental. (Downing.) 



Climax. — Cross of shuonii and Botan; very large, measuring 6:]x7'. inches 

 in circumference, heart-shaped: a superbly rich plum, extremely early; ripens 

 in the coast counties early in July, before any other good plum: color of flesh 

 yellow; sweet and delicious, with a pineapple fragrance; skin thick, firm, deep 

 vermillion-red, with very minute white specks; stem short, strong; pit medium 

 to large, separates easily from flesh. Tree a vigorous grower, very productive ; 

 branches and leaves resemble the Heart cherries in size and vigor. This is des- 

 tined to become the best shipping plum that has come to my notice. Originated 

 by Luther Burbank, of Santa Rosa. 



Damson ( Common, Black, Purple, Early, etc.) — The common oval Blue Dam- 

 son is almost too well known to need description, as thousands of bushels are 

 annually sold in the market for preserves. The tree is enormously productive, 

 but in the hands of careless cultivators is liable to be rendered worthless by the 

 knots, which are easily extirpated if the diseased branches are regularly burned 

 every winter or spring. Branches slender, a little thorny and downy. Fruit 

 small, oval, about an inch long. Skin purple, covered with thick blue bloom. 

 Flesh melting and juicy, rather tart: separates partially from the stone. Septem- 

 ber. As the Damson is frequently produced from seed, it varies in character. 

 The Shropshire or Prune Damson is an English purple variety, rather obovate 

 in form, but little superior to our common sort. The Sweet Damson resembles 

 the Common Damson, and is but slightly acid. The Late Black Damson, Late 

 Purple Damson, Prines's Early Damson, Small Red Damson, Small White Dam- 

 son and Large White Damson are also varieties not of sufficient value or distinc- 

 tiveness to render separate description necessary. The Winter Damson is a 

 valuable market sort from its extreme lateness. It is small, round, purple, cov- 

 ered with a very thick light-blue bloom. Flesh greenish, acid, with a slight 

 astringency, but makes good preserves. It bears enormous crops, and will hang 

 on the tree until the middle of November, six weeks after the Common Damson, 

 uninjured by the early frosts. (Downing.) 



De Soto.— Large to very large, round-oblong, slight suture; red, slight 

 purplish bloom; skin thick, flesh orange color, firm, juicy, good; cling. Late. 

 Wisconsin. (Thomas.) 



Felleiiberg" (Prune d'ltalie, Italian Prune, Quetsche d'ltalie, Altesse 

 Double, Italian Quetsche). — Tree vigorous, spreading; branches smooth; fruit 

 medium, oval; sviture moderate; skin dark blue, with a bloom; stalk an inch 

 long, rather stout, inserted in a very small cavity; flesh dark yellow, juicy, 

 sweet, and good; separates from the stone. Good. First of October. (Down- 

 ing.) 



Forest Garden. — Large, round-oblong, orange yellow, overlaid and dotted 

 red: skin medium, thick; flesh moderately firm, orange color, fibrous, juicy, 

 good; cling; stem slender, short. Tree forked and inclined to split. Not good 

 east of Illinois. Good for home use. August. Illinois. (Thomas.) 



General Hand. — Origin uncertain; supposed to have originated on the 

 farm of General Hand, near Lancaster, Pa. Tree very vigorous; branches 



