74 



OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



Abundance and Burbank thrive almost everywhere, generally resist- 

 ing spring frosts while in bloom. Burbank is now grown extensively in 

 every country where plums are grown and in some places where no 

 other plum will thrive. In South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand 

 it is planted by the hundred thousand and is generally spoken of as 

 the most reliable and profitable of all plums for canning, shipping, 

 and home use. Abundance, though not of as high quality, gives univer- 

 sal and unbounded satisfaction. 



Sweet Botan, though not as well adapted to general culture in all 

 places, is grown for home use and for near markets far and wide. 



Satsuma, though nearly or quite a failure in some places, is a grand 

 success in others as the standard shipping, canning, and jelly plum. 



All these, except the Burbank, are greatly surpassed in productive- 

 ness, size, beauty, and quality by the newer hybrids and crossbreds 

 produced since 1890, and mentioned below: 



Giant Prune. This was introduced in 1893 as a market and ship- 

 ping variety, but it has also proved to be one of the very best of canning 

 plums, and is rapidly coming into prominence, not only in California, 

 but in the Eastern and Central States and the Southern Hemisphere. 

 The tree is a good grower and constant and abundant producer. 



Wickson. Introduced at the same time, is now universally grown, 

 and wherever offered in any market has a readier sale and brings a 

 higher price than any plum ever before known. Growers who invested 

 in this variety have made large profits, as it has found a ready sale at 

 prices never before realized for any plum. 



Gold. Sold to Stark Brothers, Louisiana, Mo., and introduced the 

 same season, was recommended as the largest of the hardy varieties for 

 the cold Northern States, and it has proved hardier, larger, better, and 

 more valuable than claimed. As better varieties can be grown in our 

 mild climate, I do not specially recommend it for California. 



Splendor. Introduced by the same firm. In some places this has 

 not met with favor, on account of its having to be picked instead of 

 dropping when ripe like the Petite prune, and for this very reason is 

 prized by others, who claim that the difference in expense of gathering 

 is more than made up by the better product. It shrinks slightly more 

 than the Petite, but even then runs larger and is of much better quality 

 for cooking. The tree is a heavier and more regular bearer, but has now 

 been eclipsed by the Sugar prune in productiveness, earliness, size, 

 flavor, sweetness, and value of product when cured. 



Shipper. Sold to and introduced by John Lewis Childs, of New 

 York. It is particularly valuable on account of its firm flesh; is a 

 large, handsome, apple-shaped plum, ripening at mid-season. 



