FIFTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING. 39 



and prolitio, but on acci^unt of the small size not particularly 

 profitable. Quality fair, but of value only because early. 



Tlio coming- sensation in plums may be one originated by 

 F. L. I'crr}-, tbe well known nurseryman of Bridgeport, and 

 wliicli 1 understand he is to introduce this spring, and to 

 which he has g"iven the name of Perry's Oriental, as it is a 

 seedling of Satsuma, and of the same type. He will doubtless 

 tell us all about it, and if it proves as good as he hopes and 

 seems to expect, it will be a decided acquisition. A sample 

 of the fruit I have tasted was fine. Let us hope we may not 

 be disappointed in it. 



The tendency to multiply varieties still continues in all 

 classes of fruit. It would be impossible for one to test them 

 all. I l:ielieve that conservatism should take the place of 

 some of the egotism and avarice displayed by introducers, 

 that the disgust and distrust with which they are regarded by 

 planters who have suffered loss of time, money and hopes, 

 may be avoided. 



It is true that a certain variety may be excellent at home ; 

 let it be well tested elsewhere before loading it with high 

 praise, and unloading it upon the public, discarding it unless 

 it proves to have striking- merit not possessed by varieties 

 already in cultivation, and the plant breeder will gain credit 

 and honor which his patient and careful labor deserves. 



AIr. Perry : I notice the committee spoke about plums 

 •not amounting to anything. Now I have made more money 

 on plums than any other kind of fruit, and I have been exper- 

 imenting in plums from year to year, and have finally got one 

 that is a cross between the Burbank and the Satsuma, and 

 it lias two or three marvelous good qualities. It hangs to the 

 branches three or four weeks after it is in perfect eating- con- 

 dition. It commences to ripen at the pit, and when perfectly 

 g-reen on the outside it will be a dark crimson around the pit, 

 which begins to sweeten as soon as it begins to color, and 

 when ripe it has none of the bitter taste about the pit that 

 most of this class of plums have. Xow, gentlemen, that is one 

 of its good points, and another one is the flavor ; it is a flavor 



