101 



JAPANESE PLUMS. 



(Prunus Triflora). 



This important family of Plums, which has been disseminated 

 all over the world the last few years, and has made a reputation 

 wherever introduced, deserves more than a mere nurseryman's 

 classification. 



They were first apparently brought to the notice of the fruit- 

 growing world by an introduction to California in 1870 of a 

 single variety, which shortly passed into the hands of Mr. Kelsey, 

 after whom it was named by Messrs. Hammond & Co., who 

 secured control of its propagation. 



The merits of this variety were at once recognised, and large 

 planting took place as soon as trees were procurable. This led 

 to the introduction of other varieties, many through the medium 

 of Mr. Burbank, the well-known horticulturist, of Santa Rosa, and 

 others. 



These varieties have been disseminated mostly throughout 

 the States, and later throughout Australasia and Europe, making 

 their mark in each country. 



The chief characteristics of this family are great productive- 

 ness unusual precocity in bearing, being in this respect distinct 

 from the Domestics, which latter carry their fruit on the two- 

 year-old wood, whereas Triflora, like the peach, bears on the one- 

 year wood, and usually in the second year. The tree will then 

 appear one mass of blossom. It is so in several parts of the 

 Colony, and it will carry more fruit than it ought. 



Again, they are particularly exempt from disease, although 

 Kelsey is somewhat troubled with shot hole fungus, and should be 

 sprayed with Bordeaux Mixture. They are also as a whole re- 

 markably long keepers, many varieties, such as Kelsey. Burbank 

 and Wickson, can be picked green, and will ripen and colour up 

 well en route. 



Planters must not think that we are recommending the 

 Japanese type to the exclusion of other well-known and popular 

 sorts, but there are many districts of the Colony and Natal where 

 the ordinary domestic varieties will not bear or even grow. 



All along the coast-lying districts from Port Elizabeth to 

 Durban we are informed ordinary plums will not thrive. From 

 what we have personally seen, we think this Japanese class of 

 plums will supply the gap, as we have been particularly struck 

 with their abnormal fruitfulness in some of these districts, and in 

 two-years-old trees at that. 



It has also been brought forcibly home to us that they need 

 a somewhat sheltered locality, as. the growth being more or less 



