Fig. I. Shiro-Hatankio Plum. Full Size. (See page 75.) 



THE ECONOMIC PLANTS OF JAPAN— II. 



THE STONE FRUITS OTHER TREE FRUITS. 



JAPANESE PLUMS.— No fruit of recent in- 

 duction has attracted more attention than 

 the few varieties of Japanese plums brought 

 here some years ago, and which of late 

 years have been so extensively advertised and quite 

 generally planted whereever they can withstand 

 our winters. They are valued both for their size 

 and for their quality, two desirable characteristics 

 which are sadly lacking in most of our native 

 American plums. It is therefore no wonder that 

 the advent of these newcomers should be hailed 

 with joy by all lovers of luscious plums. The won- 

 der is rather that our enterprising nurserymen and 

 plum -growers have apparently been content with 

 these two or three varieties, and that they have not 

 instead gone in search of more and perhaps hardier 

 plums of the same kind ; for it might reasonably be 

 supposed that a country which could produce those 



we have would be likeh' to have others equally 

 worthy of notice. Such, at any rate, is the fact. 

 There are many varieties in Japan, whieh are fully 

 eciual to the so-called Kelsey, Ogon and Botan, 

 which are already known here. Let him who 

 doubts this visit the fruit stands in the Japanese 

 portion of Yokohama during June and July. He 

 will be gratified by the sight ot a greater collection 

 of varieties than can be found in any horticultural 

 exhibit in this country. Tokio is also well supplied 

 with plums at this season, and so are other towns 

 throughout the country ; but the region about Yo- 

 kohama and a little southward is especially noted 

 for its plums. 



There is much uncertainty in regard to the origin and 

 parentage of these plums. They have been there for 

 many centuries, and the varieties differ so much from 

 each other that it is difficult to trace their affinities. It 



