Naturalisation in Extra-Tropical Countries. 427 



fruits are too small, to render these plants of importance for orchard- 

 culture, though they also may become enlarged by rural treatment. 

 Marshall's name is the oldest. Can be cultivated as far north as 

 Christiania in West-Europe. 



Prunus demissa, Walpers. 



California. The Wild Plum of Utah. Worthy of improving culti- 

 vation. It fruits abundantly, often when only 2 or 3 feet high. It 

 is of near affinity to P. Virginiana. 



Prunus domestica, Linn6.* 



Plum-tree, Damson-tree, Prune-tree. From the Black Sea to 

 Western China. In the countries at the Mediterranean Sea numerous 

 varieties were cultivated even at the commencement of the Christian 

 era. Introduced into Britain already by the Romans. In Norway 

 this species endures the winter to lat. 64 [Professor Schuebeler]. 

 Bears fruit as far north as Drontheim. The wood is sought for 

 musical instruments and select turnery. For varieties, see Dr. Hogg's 

 admirable " Fruit Manual " and other kindred works. The 

 " Zwetschen " variety is early in yield for one of the most profitable 

 of any fruits for drying, but the best sorts need a temperate mild 

 clime. In Southern Hungary and the adjoining countries Plums and 

 Prunes are most extensively cultivated and form an important article 

 of diet to the inhabitants, besides being exported in a dried state ; 

 very large quantities are also used for the distillation of a strong 

 liqueur, known as Slibowitz. The finest dried prunes are however 

 produced in Southern France and largely exported. The quantity of 

 Prunes dried in France in 1890 was estimated at more than 40,000 

 tons valued at over 600,000. [Sahut, from "Bull, du Ministere de 

 1' Agriculture."] An excellent dessert fruit. California sent away in 

 1887 about 40,000 cases of canned plums and 1,750,000 Ibs. dried 

 prunes. Among the most important varieties are Reine-Claude and the 

 Mirabelle whether fresh or dried, boiled or preserved, the Mirabelle is 

 always delicious ; that variety is of easy growth in orchards, and can 

 also most readily be reared for hedges. It is a prolific bearer [C. 

 Mathieu]. The plum- and cherry-season would extend in S.E. Aus- 

 tralia over five months, if alpine plantations were formed. Brigade- 

 Surgeon J. Aitchison speaks of P. divaricata (Ledebour) as a native 

 plum- or prune-tree in Afghanistan. Mr. B. T. Gralloway [in circular 

 10 of the United States Department of Agriculture in the division of 

 vegetable pathology, 1 891] has as a final result of his researches recom- 

 mended two remedial compositions against leaf-blight and powdery 

 mildew as the best for or chard -tree s : 1st. The " Bordeaux Mix- 

 ture," prepared by dissolving 12 Ibs. of sulphate of copper in 20 

 gallons of water, to which slowly is to be added a mixture of 8 Ibs. 

 unslaked lime stirred into 12 gallons of water. 2nd. The " Ammo- 

 nial Solution," made by dissolving 5 ounces of carbonate of copper in 

 3 pints liquor of ammonia (diluted to 26 per cent, strength) and by 



