432 The Canadian Horticulturist. 



apt to be split. The seed of Morris White appears as if it had been mashed at 

 the base between the thumb and finger while soft. All of the Indian class have 

 the point turned to one side or hooked. 



The downy covering of the skin differs in length and quantity and when 

 entirely wanting the varieties are called Nectarines. In my experience I have 

 grown Nectarines from peach seeds. 



The Plum is represented in our orchards by at least five distinct species. 

 The form in all is the best key to identity. Nearly all have a suture, and in 

 some cases it is very marked. 



All are characterized by a smooth surface, covered with a bloom, which 

 varies in thickness, except Prunus Simoni, of probable Asiatic origin, and P. 

 Glandulosa, which two species are somewhat pubescent, like the Apricot. 



Thf' flesh of all kinds is yellow or green of different shades, except a few 

 Japanese varieties that are red to the stone. 



The character of being cling or freestone is as dependable as in the peach. 

 The length of the stem is with the plum quite constant. Some have very long 

 and others very short stems. The character of its attachment to the fruit is 

 variable. 



The color of the skin is from pale whitish-yellow to yellow, green, pink, red, 

 purple, blue and black. Our native species have all of the red and yellow 

 colors, but none of the green, blue, or black so far as I have seen. 



The varieties of P. chicasa seem to have a habit of being earlier in their 

 season of ripening than P. Americana. Wild Goose is a good example of the 

 former, and Miner of the latter. Kelsey's Japan is remarkable in size and 

 shape of the fruit, being as tender as the fig, and its leaves and branches differ 

 from other cultivated kinds. 



The Cherry. — Downing divides them into two classes, the first of Hearts 

 and Bigarreaus, and the second, the Dukes and Morellos. The former is 

 characterized by a heart shape, a mild or sweet flavor, and rather firm flesh. 

 The color of the Bigarreaus is usually quite fair. The latter class has an oblate 

 form, is never pointed, and the flavor is from a pleasant tart to a sharp sour. 



The cherry usually has a suture, but sometimes a welt in place of it. 



The color of the skin is from white to black or nearly so. Nothing short 

 of extended experience will enable one to determine the exact color which 

 belongs to a variety. * Even then, no one can distinguish all. The flesh in point 

 of color is very nearly like that of the skin. The shape of the' seed corresponds 

 with the shape of the fruit in a great measure. The length of the stem does not 

 vary greatly. The depression at the base of the stem is not plainly contrasted. 



The Apricot reproduces from seed with comparatively little variation. 

 Their general contour is round, with an occasional elongated or compressed 

 form. A well marked suture is peculiar to some kinds, and other have none. 

 The pubesence is universal and never thick. 



