FOUR BURBANK PRUNES 55 



superior, and it has a perfectly free stone smaller 

 than is usual with prunes. 



It ripens here two weeks earlier than the 

 French prune. 



The tree is even more productive, it is a more 

 constant bearer, and is sturdier than its French 

 parent; it is a well proportioned one, requiring 

 but little pruning. The fruit is borne in clusters 

 commencing low down on the body of the tree. 



Many thought that this excellent prune would 

 soon completely displace the prune d'Agen. 

 Surely if quality and productiveness were all that 

 were demanded by the grower, this would have 

 occurred. 



But Splendor has one peculiarity which places 

 it at a serious disadvantage for general commer- 

 cial purposes as a drying prune; the fruit clings 

 to the tree when ripe, where it gradually dries 

 into a delicious, sweet prune. 



As prune growers like to have the prune fall as 

 soon as ripe, to save trouble in harvesting, the 

 clinging of the Splendor to the tree is considered 

 a more or less serious fault. However, it is quite 

 commonly planted wherever the German prune 

 thrives, and gives excellent satisfaction, except 

 for the extra trouble of picking. 



It is shipped East as a fresh plum from sec- 

 tions of California in large quantities and is un- 



