LUTHER BURBANK 



six species of later plums seems an impossibility. 

 Yet this is what happened when the Wild-Goose 

 type was combined with five other late-ripening 

 species. The plum introduced from this complex 

 combination has been aptly named "First." It 

 was the first introduced variety in the making of 

 which the Wild-Goose had a part, and the first 

 plum to ripen of all those grown in California at 

 the time of its introduction in 1901. 



If the Wild-Goose plum is mentioned, the 

 Ghickasaw should not be overlooked; for al- 

 though it has not served in the production of any 

 introduced varieties, its hardiness has contributed 

 valuable attributes to many varieties still in the 

 proving orchard. 



But perhaps the greatest interest attaches to 

 the story of the little Beach plum. In its wild 

 state this is not much sought; for its fruit varies 

 from the size of a large pea to that of a small 

 hazel-nut, and it is inedible unless cooked. Yet 

 this little plum has some flavor; it makes pre- 

 serves of delicious quality. 



The results produced on my grounds with this 

 species are so important as to indicate that the 

 Beach plum is highly valuable to use in the de- 

 velopment of new plums for cold climates. I have 

 produced four important varieties in which it is 

 one of the parents. 



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