82 MAKING HORTICULTURE PAY 



of our native plums, which might well be classed 

 with grapes, oranges, melons, etc., and which, while 

 they possess the attributes of delicacy of flavor, 

 juiciness, refreshing sprightliness and healthfulness, 

 do not possess that peculiar combination of solidity 

 and richness of substance which soon satiates the 

 appetite. Indeed, as with grapes, melons, etc., the 

 more excellent varieties of native plums may be 

 eaten freely with relish, enjoyment, and benefit. 



" To those who are not familiar with the im- 

 proved varieties of native plums, and to whom the 

 mention of which recalls to memory the small thick- 

 skinned, large seeded, astringent, yet withal tempt- 

 ing, wild plums of some secluded nook on the farm, 

 the real excellence of a basket of great, brilliantly 

 colored Brunswick, Hunt, or Downing would prove 

 a revelation. It is desirable, if not necessary, that 

 in planting a succession of fruits for the home 

 there be included at least a few trees of such excel- 

 lent natives as Poole, Pride, Brunswick, Wilder, 

 Hunt, Downing, Reed, and Honey Drop. 



" Japanese varieties, while rapid growers and very 

 beautiful in foliage, blossoms, and fruit, are not to 

 be depended upon for regular fruiting in Ohio. 

 While sufficiently hardy in both tree and bud to 

 endure most winters in this latitude, their tendency 

 to bloom early makes them liable to be caught by 

 the late spring frosts. The quality of Japanese 

 varieties, as a rule, is decidedly inferior to that of 

 either the European or native plums, both for their 

 culinary use and for eating fresh from the tree, 

 though a limited number of the Japanese sorts are 

 good for both purposes. The following brief col- 

 lection of varieties embraces the cream of the list 

 grown at the station : Berger, Red June, Burbank, 



