112 THE PLUM IN KANSAS. 



4. The nomenclature of the varieties is much confused, largely be- 

 cause the Japanese names are used for groups or classes and not for 

 si^ecific varieties ; and there is no uniformity even in the generic ap- 

 plication of these names. It is essential to an exact understanding 

 of this fruit, therefore, that the Japanese class names be discarded in 

 this country. 



5. While importations from Japan have been made freely, there 

 are probably many more good varieties in that country which have 

 not reached America ; but we must look for most permanent progress 

 in the future from American offspring. 



6. The Japanese plums differ amongst themselves greatly in hardi- 

 ness. The Kelsey is adapted only to the states south of Virginia and 

 to the warmer parts of the Pacific coast, but other varieties are fully 

 hardy in parts of Connecticut, Ontario, New York, and Iowa. 



7. The varieties now known to be hardy in the plum regions of 

 New York are Burbank, Abundance, Willard, Ogon, Satsuma, Chabot, 

 Yosebe, and Berger; and others give promise of being as hardy as 

 these. 



8. The period of ripening of the various kinds extends over a long 

 season, running, in New York, from the middle of July to the middle 

 of September. The same variety does not always apjDear to ripen at 

 the same period in successive years. This is especially true of the 

 Kelsey, which sometimes varies through a period of three months. 

 In New York, the earliest market variety which has been tested ap- 

 pears to be Willard, followed closely by Ogon, then Abundance and 

 Berckmans, and Burbank still later. Kelsey is generally the latest of 

 all the varieties, 



9. Most of the Japanese plums keep for several days, and some of 

 them even for two weeks, after they are ripe. Satsuma is one of the 

 best keepers known in the North. 



10. The larger part of the varieties are red with deep yellow flesh, 

 and the Satsuma, and a few varieties less known, have deep red flesh. 

 There are only four well-known yellow varieties. There are eight 

 freestones, as follows: Ogon, Willard, Kelsey, Berger, Maru, Mun- 

 son, Norraand, Yosebe. 



11. The varieties which can be most confidently recommended at 

 the present time are Abundance, Burbank, Willard, Kerr, Berckmans, 

 Maru, Red Negate, Chabot, Satsuma, and, perhaps, Ogon. Kelsey is 

 recommended for the South. 



12. The chief weaknesses of the Japanese plums are too early 

 bloom of some varieties and liability to the fruit-rot fungus. Amongst 

 their advantages are partial immunity from black-knot and leaf-blight, 

 and often a partial freedom from curculio injury. 



