208 THE EVOLUTION OF OUR NATIVE FRUITS 



The varieties in question differ from Scheele's description in 

 having single straight trunks, in being from fifteen to twenty 

 feet high, instead of from three to six feet, and in having often 

 three flowers to each fascicle, instead of one or two. The dis- 

 tribution of the species is given by Coulter as "not uncommon 

 on the Colorado and its tributaries, and extending to the upper 

 Guadalupe and the Leona," and the specimens referred to 

 above give no important evidence of its occurrence this side 

 of western Texas. In comparison with this distribution, the 

 origin of the cultivated varieties should be carefully considered. 

 As far as known, their sources are as follows : Cumberland, 

 Tennessee ; Garfield, Ohio ; Golden Beauty, southwest Texas ; 

 Kanawha, Fairview, Kentucky ; Leptune, Arkansas ; Missouri 

 Apricot, Missouri ; Moreman, Kentucky ; Sucker State, Illinois ; 

 Wayland, Cadiz, Kentucky. 



The evidence of this list is quite contrary to the supposition 

 of a Prunus rivularis parentage for the varieties named ; but, 

 on the other hand, must be regarded as decidedly favorable to 

 their classification in the pseudo- species, P. hortulana. 



It seems to me important that this group of plums should 

 be understood separately, and that its relationships should be 

 worked out as speedily and as accurately as possible ; and 

 while the evidence here reviewed leads me to reject the 

 hypothesis of their derivation from Prunus rivularis, that 

 species seems to be a promising one, and we would do well 

 not to lose sight of it too soon. 



The Marianna Group 



In 1884 a strange plum was introduced from Texas 

 under the name of Marianna. It was said to be a na- 

 tive. It proved to have little value for fruit, however, 

 because it is not very productive and the quality of 

 the plums seems to lack character; but it is found 

 to grow readily from cuttings, and it soon came to be 

 extensively used as stock upon which to graft other 

 kinds of plums, and even peaches and apricots ; and it 



