FRUIT DEPARTMENT. 
17 
PLUMS. 
The plum is hardy, and will grow vigorously in almost every part of this country, 
hut succeeds best in heavy loam, or in soils in which there is a mixture of clay. Where 
the soil is light and sandy, we recommend using yellow loam or yellow clay in the place 
of manure. Swamp muck is also excellent, especially that from salt-water marshes. 
Common salt sprinkled about the trees will do them good. Plums do well when planted 
in a hen-yard, or where the fowls have free access to the trees, as they will destroy the 
insects that trouble many of the varieties. 
We oifer a limited list of varieties, as we wish to send out only such as we con- 
sider well worthy the care necessary to secure satisfactory results : — 
Archduke. A large, black, and very prolific plum, ripening early in October. A very 
valuable addition to late plums, and profitable alike to the amateur and orchard- 
ist ; good both for dessert and the kitchen. 
Bradshaw. Large size; reddish purple, with blue bloom; flesh juicy and rich. 
Tree vigorous and productive. August. 
Coe's Golden Drop. Large size ; pale yellow, spotted with red in the .sun ; flesh 
firm, rich, and juicy. Strong grower. Last of September. 
Empire. A magnificent, very large, dark-colored, purple i)lum ; shape round ; quality 
the very best. The tree is a strong grower and very hardy. September. 
French Damson. This plum has much to commend it. Tree a much better grower 
than the Shropshire or Blue Damson. Very hardy, and an annual bearer ; very 
productive. Fruit medium : dark copper color, with a rich bloom, and the hest 
Damson for market purposes we have fruited ; ripens two weeks later than Shrop- 
shire. 
Ouii. Very large ; dark purple ; hardy and productive ; becoming very popular in 
the plum-growing region on the Hudson River. Ripens last of September. 
German Prune. A large, long, oval variety, much esteemed for drying ; color dark 
purple ; of a very agreeable flavor. September. 
Imperial Gage. Fruit large, oval ; skin pale green ; flesh juicy, sweet, rich, and 
excellent. Tree very vigorous and productive. Middle of August. 
Lombard. Fruit medium size, roundish oval ; skin violet red ; flesh yellow, juicy, 
and pleasant. Tree very vigorous, hardy, and productive. Last of August. 
Lincoln. Claimed to be a seedling of green gage. Color reddish purple, bright, 
showy, and attractive. Flesh light yellow, juicy, sweet, rich, and luscious, parting 
freely from the stone. Quality fine. Very prolific. September. 
Prince's Yellow Gage. Tree remarkably hardy, forming a large, spreading head, 
and very productive. Fruit above medium size, oval ; skin golden yellow, cov- 
ered with a copious white bloom ; flesh deep yellow, rich, sugary, and melting ; 
very good ; parts freely from the stone. First of August. 
Pond's Seedling. Light red, changing to violet ; flesh rather coarse. Tree a good 
grower and most abundant bearer. September. 
