LUTHER BURBANK 



The Sugar prune had no rival until the advent 

 of the still newer prune, the Standard, which I 

 introduced in 1910. 



When the selection of seedlings was made from 

 which the Sugar prune originated, about one-half 

 were at once discarded. Only those were saved 

 which had the customary indications of good 

 fruiting large leaves, prominent buds, and 

 strong, heavy wood with short joints. 



Grafts from the young seedlings were placed 

 upon Japanese plum stocks. This was done be- 

 cause there was no other stock at hand at that 

 time. It proved to be a costly experiment, because 

 more than half of these new, promising seedlings 

 died before bearing fruit. Some of the grafts did 

 not start at all; some made a short growth and 

 died the first season; some grew a few seasons and 

 died. Fortunately, however, some thrived as well 

 as on their own roots. 



The grafts that bore the first fruits of the prune 

 which was later named "Sugar," made a fair but 

 not a good union with the Japan plum. Although 

 the first fruits of this variety were born on Japan- 

 ese plum stock it is not recommended that Sugar 

 prunes be grafted upon such stock. Roots of the 

 Myrobolan plum make better stocks. Almond 

 roots are also highly commended by some or- 

 chardists. 



[116] 



