LUTHER BURBANK 



of some peaches. But the plum has not as yet been 

 developed to anything like the maximum size, 

 notwithstanding the very great improvement of 

 recent years. A good many of my newer plums 

 are giants in comparison with the standard plums 

 of a generation ago. But no one complains that 

 they are too large. On the contrary, their high 

 price in the market is due in considerable measure 

 to their large size. 



In selecting the ideal plum there is no reason 

 nowadays why you should not secure one that 

 bears fruit that is at least two inches in diameter 

 on the average. 



In form the plum should approach the globu- 

 lar. This is best in most fruits, for the reason that 

 the spherical form is the most compact, and there- 

 fore the one best adapted to handling and packing. 



The suture in the plum is a mark of recogni- 

 tion, but of no value to the fruit in any way. It is 

 mostly due to the fact that one side of the plum 

 grows slightly larger than the other. But this is a 

 matter that concerns the pomologist rather than 

 the fruit originator or grower. 



The same is true of the ridge on the plum 

 stone. It is a mark often used as a distinguishing 

 character between different varieties, but which 

 has no practical significance. 



The plum should be of some attractive color, 



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