The Selection of Varieties 253 



These questions of local adaptation have been closely 

 studied in the last ten years, and the adjustment of 

 varieties to localities is rapidly advancing. There is, 

 of course, much yet to be done; but much of the rough 

 work has been executed. 



In the following pages a large list of selections 

 will be offered. Some of them are made on the 

 authority of the writer; others rest on the experience 

 of the best plum growers in all parts of the land. All 

 of them, however, are presented subject to the qualifi- 

 cations already made, which may be briefly reviewed 

 in saying that the selection of varieties rests upon three 

 separate considerations : First, local or geographical 

 adaptation; second, personal preferences of the 

 grower ; third, intrinsic qualities of the variety. 



MARKET VARIETIES 



We will consider first the selection of varieties for 

 market. It will be understood that, in making market 

 plantings, a smaller number of varieties are to be 

 chosen, and that good looks and shipping qualities are 

 supremely important. Furthermore, certain markets 

 call for certain varieties. In some places Damsons 

 are in demand. In other places Green Gages are 

 wanted. But in general it may be said that the de- 

 mands of the market may be ignored to a very great 

 extent in selecting plums, especially if the market be 

 a small one which can be pretty thoroughly covered by 

 the grower. Very few fruit buyers know anything 

 about plums. They ask for Damsons or for "blue 

 plums" because they know of nothing else. If any 

 good variety is offered to them, year after year, they 

 soon take up with it. I know a grower whose trees 

 were mostly Lombard. Presently he had some De 

 Sotos come into bearing. The first year he had to give 



