84 



Plums and Plum Culture 



The Myrobalan group. Several varieties have been ex- 

 amined which undoubtedly partake of Myrobalan stock. None 

 of these, however, has shown any promise of filling an impor- 

 tant place in the pomological field. Still this stock seems to 

 be especially favorable for bridging over the gap between the 

 Domesticas on the one hand and the Japanese and American 

 varieties on the other. The Myrobalan varieties seem to 

 hybridize in both directions without much difficulty ; and 

 through their intervention we may be able presently to effect 

 certain desirable combinations which now seem difficult or 

 impossible. 



Prunus simonii. ''The best of all the plums in hybridiz- 

 ing," says Mr. Burbank. and his results seem to justify him 

 in the opinion. Although Prunus simonii itself is regarded by 

 most horticulturists as a very worthless thing it seems to have 

 a thoroughly respectable progeny. The peculiarly disagreeable 

 taste which characterizes the parent seems never to be present 

 in hybrid offspring. Instead one has a firm, meaty flesh, with 

 a rich, sweet, sugary flavor. The size, color and flesh of the 

 Simon plum are all desirable, and though it is hardly probable 

 that other hybridizers will have the same success with this 

 species that Mr. Burbank has had. it has nevertheless fully 

 proved itself worthy of consideration. 



Prunus triflora. The Japanese plums cross with other 

 groups with great facility, especially with the Chicasaws and 

 Hortulanas. Crossing with the Chicasaws, however, seems 

 inclined to give fruits with soft, stringy, watery flesh clinging 

 to the stones. These are among the more undesirable char- 

 acters of the Chicasaws, and might be wisely avoided by using 

 other combinations. Although it is much more difficult to 

 combine P. triflora with P. americana, the results are likely 

 to prove much better. The good character of the Triflora 

 Simonii crosses is especially to be remarked. 



Prunus angustifolia. The Chicasaws cross readily with 

 several other groups, in fact, with almost everything. They 

 do not seem, however, to bring any very desirable characters 

 into such combinations, and though a few promising Chicasaw 

 hybrids are on record, this species cannot be recommended 

 for hybridization. 



The Wildgoose group. The remarks made regarding the 

 Chicasaws apply in the main to the Wildgoose group. The 

 latter are to be preferred, however, in making hybridizations. 



The IVayland group. These varieties are perhaps a little 

 better adapted to the needs of the plum breeder than are the 

 Wildgoose sorts. 



The Miner group. These so closely resemble the Ameri- 

 canas as to have most of their good qualities. They seem to 



