THE PLUM. yi 



difference, I have never been able to see it, though there is 

 now a plum called the True Sweet Botan, or Berckmans, that 

 is somewhat different both in growth and bearing, and, like 

 the Botan, a most excellent eating fruit. This plum equals 

 any of the Japan race in quality, though the various catalogues 

 are annually bringing out something that they claim is better. 

 One enterprising nurseryman in Louisiana has a genuine rab- 

 bit's foot for getting all sorts and colors, from snowy white 

 to ebony black, fresh by telegraph from Japan, their flavors 

 ranging through such a delicious chord of descriptive adjec- 

 tives that one wonders that the very angels do not drop their 

 harps and hie them back to earth. Let them alone ! The 

 old Kelsey is undoubtedly a splendid fruit where it succeeds, 

 but it is subject to rot in many places, though neither 

 here or in Southwest Texas. It is enormously prolific there, 

 and I saw it in perfection at Beeville, at which place, though 

 plums and peaches have been grown for many years, I saw 

 several very old and extensive orchards that were entirely 

 exempt from curculio and worms. It is plain that this insect 

 has no love for a dry, warm climate, as he also ignores West- 

 ern Texas generally. But in point of production, good size, 

 solidity and moderate earliness, the Burbank stands far ahead 

 of all Japan plums, though the fruit has been greatly over- 

 rated. The quality here is quite poor, unless left on the tree 

 until perfectly mature, when it is passably good. The Ha- 

 tankio, or Kerr, is also a good eating plum, but a large five- 

 year-old tree at Hitchcock has borne no fruit, the blossoms 

 dropping every year. The Ogon bore well last year, but the 

 quality is very poor, as is that of the Satsuma, which, like 

 the Hatankio, is practically barren. The Red June or Na- 

 gate, being boomed this season, like the Willard was last, as 

 the best of all the Japan plums, has failed to bear a plum on 

 a large five-year-old tree at Hitchcock, for which I paid the 

 Starks one dollar, nor has it even formed blossom buds. The 

 Willard is equally worthless here, the trees actually not leaf- 

 ing out until the first of May. The new Wickson comes 

 highly recommended, and ought to be valuable, as it is Mr. 

 Burbank' s pride. 



