ON NEW PLUMS AND PRUNES 



The first step in plum improvement obviously 

 involves propagation by seeds. In my own work 

 great effort is made to secure seed of the best 

 varieties at the outset. 



As we have seen, seedlings from cultivated 

 fruits always show a wide range of variation. Such 

 variations offer opportunity for selection. 

 AN OUTLINE OF METHODS 



The simplest method of working for improve- 

 ment is to select the best seedlings thus obtained, 

 without attempting pollenizing experiments. 



An extension of the method calls for cross 

 fertilization within the species followed, of 

 course, by selection. 



A yet bolder method, and one calling for much 

 more time in the work of selection, may be used 

 that of hybridizing individuals of different species. 



Finally the method may be so elaborated that 

 several of the best varieties of different species 

 are intercrossed to form new varieties. The plum 

 "Combination," as an instance, combines the char- 

 acteristics of three widely varying species and of 

 numerous varieties within these species. Most of 

 my recent plums carry the strains of many diverse 

 species. 



This perfected method has been little used by 

 other plant originators, but its practicality and 

 value are demonstrated in my orchards. 



[199] 



