108 LUTHER BURBANK 



In selecting the ideal plum there is no reason 

 nowadays why you should not secure one that 

 bears fruit that is at least two inches in diameter 

 on the average. 



In form the plum should approach the globu- 

 lar. This is best in most fruits, for the reason 

 that the spherical form is the most compact, and 

 therefore the one best adapted to handling and 

 packing. 



The suture in the plum is a mark of recogni- 

 tion, but of no value to the fruit in any way. It 

 is mostly due to the fact that one side of the 

 plum grows slightly larger than the other. 

 But this is a matter that concerns the 

 pomologist rather than the fruit originator or 

 grower. 



The same is true of the ridge on the plum 

 stone. It is a mark often used as a distinguish- 

 ing character between different varieties, but 

 which has no practical significance. 



The plum should be of some attractive color, 

 red, yellow, or even a brilliant white. Green 

 fruit is never attractive. It would appear that 

 the birds and man have combined forces to 

 produce red and yellow fruits by selection, 

 because these colors are enticing, and we have 

 come to associate them with superior qualities 

 of fruit. 



