144 PLUMS. 



This. class is distinguished readily from either of 

 the other species by their larger and ranker growth, 

 heavier shoots generally with a purplish cast. In 

 leaf they are larger and thinner, inclined to be 

 ruffly. The fruit is larger, and at times very large, 

 approaching a moderate-sized peach, very hand- 

 some and deeply creased or sutured. It is also 

 another characteristic that in quality, especially 

 lor eating from the hand, it is inferior to many of 

 our best select natives; and generally inferior for 

 culinary purposes. Their size, great beauty and 

 fair quality will, however, always make them 

 deservedly popular where they can be successfully 

 grown. 



Of the above, those varieties which are still kept 

 upon many of the northwestern lists, and will suc- 

 ceed better than the others, are Lombard, German 

 Prune and Bradshaw. The causes of failure are 

 generally that the tree is too tender to withstand 

 our trying winters, and the wood becomes black- 

 ened and brittle, so that a tree of considerable size 

 will break off easily when the shoots are growing 

 vigorously. Even when this does not occur the 

 fruit is easily spoiled by the curculio or gouger, 

 and falls soon after the visits of those insects. It 

 is also much subject to rot, which attacks the fruit 

 just before ripening in small specks distributed 

 over its surface, which expand till they include the 

 whole surface. 



We have been particular in describing this class 

 of plums, for the reason that so many who purchase 



