NEW PLUMS AND PRUNES 123 



from the size of a large pea to that of a small 

 hazelnut, and it is inedible unless cooked. Yet 

 this little plum has some flavor; it makes jams 

 and preserves of good quality. 



The results produced on my grounds with this 

 species are so important as to indicate that the 

 Beach plum is highly valuable to use in the de- 

 velopment of new plums for cold climates. I 

 have produced four important varieties in which 

 it is one of the parents. 



The story of these ennobled Beach plums is 

 so interesting and suggestive that it is worth 

 telling somewhat in detail. 



THE ENNOBLEMENT OF THE BEACH PLUM 



Perhaps the most astonishing result produced 

 by hybridizing the little Beach plum is the fruit 

 to which I have given the provisional name Giant 

 Maritima. 



This is a second-generation hybrid from an 

 improved hardy Beach plum pollenized with one 

 of the hybrid Japan plums. 



In 1895, the first year this seedling bore, the 

 fruit was one hundred times larger than its seed 

 parent, the maritima. In 1896, the fruit was 

 even larger than in the previous year, and in 

 1899, as the tree gained in age and strength, the 

 size was still further increased. 



