Japanese Varieties. 



No new fruit has attracted so much attention as the varieties of 

 Japanese plums. They are found very vigorous in growth and come 

 into bearing in three to five years from planting and many predict 

 large profits from their cultivation. It is however too soon to deter- 

 mine how hardy they may prove, whether they will be subject to the 

 Black Knot, the brown rot or some disease similar to the yellows on 

 the peach, or whether they will be so popular in the markets as to 

 demand a large supply. Some of the varieties have fruited in the 

 Station orchard, e. g. the Georgeson, Abundance, Kelsey and Satsuma 

 and the quality of these is such as to warrant us in reporting that 

 they are at least promising. The Kelsey is the best in quality, but 

 the tree proves tender and cannot be depended on at the north. One 

 branch on an Abundance tree developed a premature ripening of the 

 fruit, indicating some injury by the cold during the previous winter, 

 other than thi^i it seems perfectly hardy, is very productive and of 

 good quality. Below we mention a few varieties that have attracted 

 especial attention. 



Georgeson (Hattonkio No. 1). Ripened Aug. 10, elongated, 

 medium size, very good quality. Color, greenish yellow with light 

 bloom. Not quite hardy. 



Abundance. Ripened middle of August, medium size, red with 

 yellow on shaded f?ide. Very productive and a[ipears hard3^ 



Satsuma and Willard fruited to a limited extent, but not sufficient- 

 ly to warrant conclusion as to their merits. 



Native Varieties. 



Prairie Floicer. Red. Ripened Aug. 12, clingstone, vigorous and 

 productive, promising. 



Wild Goose. The past season seemed peculiarly favorable to the 

 perfection of this old variet}^ It produced a fair crop of fruit of 

 medium size and fair quality. The fruit fell from the trees when 

 about half colored and in two or three days turned to a bright red 

 color with light bloom. Clingstone. The}^ were marketed from one 

 tree from July 16tii to Aug. 24th, and on account of their earliness, 

 even size and form, brilliant color, and fresh appearance found a 

 quick sale in our local market. 



Pottawattamie. INIedium size, light red, falls before ripe. Poor 

 quality, clingstone, [)roductive and vigorous. 



