The Wildgoose Group 69 



it is not impossible that more than one species is con- 

 founded in it." 



This description suits the Wildgoose type as un- 

 derstood to-day, though the view presented in 1892 

 may now be modified in two important technical par- 

 ticulars. First, we regard Pruntis hortnlaiia no longer 

 as a species in the ordinary acceptation of the term, 

 but as a conglomerate company of natural hybrids. 

 Second, several varieties at first included in the Wild- 

 goose group are now referred to the Wayland type, 

 and discussed in the preceding chapter. 



Plums of the Wildgoose group are largely planted 

 for home use and market in some localities, mostly 

 south of Mason and Dixon's line. They thrive much 

 farther north, however, and are sometimes success- 

 fully and profitably grown as far north as Massachu- 

 setts and Kansas. They can be grown even farther 

 north. (See Chapter XXXII.) The fruit is solid and 

 ships well, and its bright red color and transparent 

 skin make it very attractive, so that it ordinarily sells 

 well. The blossoms appear abundantly at a season 

 about midway between the Chicasaws and the Ameri- 

 canas. In general they are remarkably self-sterile, and 

 some provision for cross-pollination is to be regarded 

 as a necessity. Their special sexual affinities and ec- 

 centricities are discussed further in the chapter 

 on pollination. 



