THE PLUMS OF NEW YORK. QI 



The Wild Goose varieties, now placed here, in the past have been 

 considered hybrids more closely resembling Prunus hortulana than any- 

 other species. But Wild Goose and some other varieties of its group are 

 not to be distinguished from Prunus munsoniana and beyond question belong 

 in this species. The varieties in this division of Munsoniana are largely 

 seedlings of Wild Goose, each variety possibly with a different male parent 

 since Wild Goose seldom or never fruits unless cross-fertilized. Thus, of 

 these plums, twelve are known seedlings of Wild Goose ; seven others 

 originated under cultivation ; the origin of fourteen is not known and it is 

 not certain that any beside Wild Goose came from wild plants. From 

 such a record, and from the characters of the plants, it is probable that 

 some of the Wild Goose varieties are horticultural hybrids, many of them 

 from H. A. Terry of Iowa in whose work, with many varieties of several 

 species, hybridity was the rule. 



Horticulturally, this is the most important group of native plums for 

 the South; it contains a greater number of cultivated varieties than any 

 other native species excepting Prunus americana, no less than sixty sorts 

 being listed in The Plums of New York, some of which are deservedly the 

 best known of the native plums for either home or market use. For dessert 

 or the kitchen they are particularly valuable, having a sprightly vinous 

 flavor making them very pleasant flavored to eat out of hand or when 

 cooked. Their bright colors, semi-transparent skins and well-turned forms 

 make them very attractive in appearance. Considering the juiciness of 

 most of the varieties, these plums ship and keep well. Unfortunately 

 nearly all of the varieties of this species are clingstones. This group hybri- 

 dizes more freely than any other of the plums and there are a great number 

 of promising hybrids of which it is one of the parents. Of all plums, these 

 are most in need of cross-pollination, some of the varieties being nearly 

 or, as in the case of Wild Goose, wholly self -sterile. While these plums 

 are especially valuable in the Southern States, some of them are desir- 

 able in the North as well, where all will grow at least as far north as central 

 New York. Plums of this species are occasionally but not often used as 

 stocks. Some recommend them for stocks for low or wet lands. The fact 

 that Prunus munsoniana suckers very badly will probably preclude its use 

 largely in propagating. 



The leading varieties under cultivation of this species are Arkansas, 

 Pottawattamie , Robinson, Newman, Wild Goose and Downing, all of which 

 are described in full and illustrated in colors in The Plums of New York. 



