NEW PLUMS AND PRUNES 117 



the same subject from the standpoint of the 

 plant developer and orchardist. 



The first step in plum improvement obviously 

 involves propagation by seeds. In my own work 

 great effort is made to secure seed of the best 

 varieties at the outset. 



As we have seen, seedlings from cultivated 

 fruits always show a wide range of variation. 

 Such variations offer opportunity for selection. 



AN OUTLINE OF METHODS 



The simplest method of working for improve- 

 ment is to select the best seedlings thus obtained, 

 without attempting pollenizing experiments. 



An extension of the method calls for cross- 

 fertilization within the species followed again, 

 of course, by selection. 



A yet bolder method, and one calling for more 

 time in the work of selection, may be used that 

 of hybridizing individuals of different species. 



Finally the method may be so elaborated that 

 several of the best varieties of different species 

 are intercrossed to form new varieties. The 

 plum "Combination," as an instance, combines 

 the characteristics of three widely varying 

 species and of numerous varieties within these 

 species. Most of my recent plums carry the 

 strains of many diverse species. 



