2 Plums and Plum Culture 



tions of varieties are still copied far and wide. (Some 

 of them are copied into this book!) 



The patient reader and student of plums should 

 bear in mind that systematic pomology comprises 

 three distinct divisions, as follows: (a) description, 

 (b) nomenclature, (c) classification. Varieties must 

 first be described; next, the correct names must be 

 determined; and, lastly, we may attempt some classi- 

 fication. All three of these lines have fallen into 

 neglect in this country since the days of Wilder, 

 Downing and Warder, but especially the first two, — 

 description and nomenclature. We need a revival of 

 interest in these lines. 



In describing fruits it is highly convenient to have 

 a blank form. This not only gives, at a glance, the 

 various points which have to be covered in the descrip- 

 tion, but it insures greater accuracy and uniformity. 

 Furthermore, the fact that convenient blanks are at 

 hand leads the fruit man to make descriptions of many 

 interesting new fruits of which he would otherwise 

 retain no notes. Every real lover of pomology ought 

 to keep descriptive notes of varieties which come to 

 his notice, either fruiting in his own orchard, sent to 

 him by correspondents, or seen at fruit exhibitions. 

 The blank form used by the author and found in expe- 

 rience to be very convenient, is shown herewith: 



WOOD— 



Fruit : Received from A. B. Dennis, la. 



flavor, sweetish form, heart-shaped 



size, medium, 30x31 mm cavity, deep, flaring 



stem, short, slender suture, a line 



apex, pointed color, orange, with crimson 



bloom, light blue dots, many, minute, white 



flesh, yellow skin, tough 



quality, good stone, oval, Hat, cling 



General notes: Described by W. D. G., Sept. 2, iZoo. 

 Plum. Americana Group. 



