19* 



432 YEARBOOK OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



MONCEI/T PLUM. 



[PLATE LIV.] 

 EARLY HISTORY. 



The Moncelt plum is a seedling of the " Red Nagate," * a Japanese 

 variety, and originated about 12 years ago on the grounds of R. 

 Bates, Jackson, Aiken County, S. C. He considers 2 it a hybrid 

 between " Red Nagate " and " Clyman," a " domestica " variety, but 

 the botanical characters of the twigs and foliage, and of the fruit 

 as well, appear to be those of the Japanese plum (Prunus triflora). 



The original tree began bearing when 4 years old. As soon as its 

 merits were apparent, the name by which it is designated was await- 

 ing it, this having been previously selected by the originator to apply 

 to the most promising variety in a lot of more than 17,000 seedlings 

 of the " Red Nagate " which he was testing. 



The name Moncelt was first published in a small catalogue issued 

 by the originator in March, 1911, when the variety was commercially 

 introduced. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Form conical ; size large ; cavity regular, large, deep, slope gradual, 

 marked with slight furrows; suture of medium depth at cavity, be- 

 coming more shallow toward and extending to the apex ; apex a russet 

 dot at end of suture; surface smooth or slightly undulating, some- 

 times with small areas of russet; color yellow, blushed and marbled 

 over nearly entire surface with dark purplish red ; dots very numer- 

 ous, very small, russet; bloom bluish white; skin medium thick, tena- 

 cious, slightly bitter; flesh yellowish, translucent, meaty, half tender, 

 juicy ; stone roundish oval, cling, very small ; flavor subacid, pleasant : 

 quality very good. Season from about the 10th of June to the end 

 of that month, in the locality where it originated. 



The tree is a strong, vigorous, upright grower^ with rather large 

 rank leaves. It is said to compare favorably with Abundance and 

 Burba-ilk in productiveness, and thus far it has been remarkably re- 

 sistant to brown-rot and is said to suffer only to a limited extent from 

 the plum curculio. It has exceptionally good keeping qualities after 

 being picked from the tree and is regarded as a good shipping variety. 



The characteristics of this variety, both in tree and fruit, appear 

 to indicate that it is of special promise for southern latitudes. It is 



1 The exact identity of this variety is uncertain. Much confusion existed in the 

 nomenclature of the Japanese plums in the earlier years following their introduction into 

 this country. The name " Red Nagate " was applied to several different varieties, the 

 most important of which is the one now known as Red June. Mr. Bates's tree, while 

 similar in some respects, is said by him to be clearly distinct from Red June. 



2 Letters from Mr. R. Bates, October and November, 1911. 



