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JAPANESE PLUMS. 



[PRUNUS TRIFLORA.] 



This important family of Plums, which has been dissseminated 

 all over the world the last few years, and has made a reputation 

 wherever introduced, deserves more than a mere nurseryman's 

 classification. 



First apparently brought to the notice of the fruit-growing 

 world by an introduction to California in 1870 of a single 

 variety, which shortly passed into the lands of Mr. Kelsey.. 

 after whom it was named by Messrs. Hammond & Co., who- 

 secured control of its propagation. 



The merits of this variety were at once recognised, and large 

 planting took place as soon as trees were procurable. This led 

 to the introduction of other varieties, many through the medium 

 of Mr. Burbank, the well-known horticulturist, Santa Rosa, 

 and others. 



These varieties have been disseminated mostly throughout 

 the States, and later through Australasia and Europe, making 

 their mark in each country. 



The chief characteristics of this family are great productive- 

 ness, unusual precocity in bearing, being in this respect distinct 

 from the Domestica, which latter carries its fruit on the two-year- 

 old wood, whereas Triflora, like the Peach, bears on the one-year 

 wood, and usually in the second year. The tree will then appear 

 one mass of blossom. It is so in several parts of the Colony, and 

 will carry more fruit than it ought. 



Again, they are particularly exempt from disease, although 

 Kelsey is somewhat troubled with shot hole fungus, and should 

 be sprayed with Bordeaux Mixture. They are also as a whole 

 remarkably long keepers, many varieties, such as Kelsey and 

 Burbank, can be picked green and will ripen and colour up well 

 en route. 



Planters must not think that we are recommending the 

 Japanese type to the exclusion of other well-known and popular 

 sorts, but there are many districts of the Colony and Xatal where 

 the ordinary Domestica varieties will not bear or even grow. 



All along the coast-lying districts from Port Elizabeth to- 

 Durban we are informed ordinary plums will not thrive. From 

 what we have personally seen, we think this Japanese class of 

 plums will supply the gap, as we have been particularly struck 

 with their abnormal fruitfulness in some of these districts, and 

 in two-year-old trees at that. 



