PLUMS. 547 



CLASSIFICATION. 



With but comparatively few exceptions the varieties of plums 

 grown in gardens, and for commercial purposes, may be included 

 in five groups. As this work aims to be of a practical rather than 

 scientific character, these only will be considered. They are 



Native Plums. 



I. 



The Americana Group — Prunus Americana. 



Comprises a class of hardy, vigorous young trees, the wild forms 

 of which are found growing throughout the Northern States. The 

 fruits differ widely in all their characteristics. 



II. 



The Wild Goose Group — Prunus hortulana. 



This class has heretofore been included in the Americana, but it 

 has recently been separated by Professor Bailey into an independ- 

 ent group, and includes the Miner type. 



III. 

 The Chickasaw Group — Prunus angustifolia. 

 It is found growing wild in the Southern States. 



IV. 



The European Group — Prunus domestica. 



Most of the finest plums which have been cultivated in the United 

 States until quite recently belong to this class. They are all of 

 European or Asiatic origin. Except in certain localities they are 

 invaluable. The Myrobalan is very closely allied, and is much 

 used for stocks. 



V. 



The Japanese Plums — Prttnus triflora. 



These fruits were imported into the United States about twenty- 

 five years ago, and have grown steadily in popularity. They are 

 generally of large size, brilliantly colored, and variable in quality. 

 Many seedlings and hybrids from this stock are being introduced. 

 They are not all equally adapted for all sections of the country. 

 Some are not hardy North, some bloom too early, and others do not 

 do so well in the Southern States as farther North. 



