16 
JAPAN PLUMS 
The value of this race of Plums is no longer in doubt. Trees of tremendous vigor, 
the)'- come into bearing two and three years after planting and in such variety and season 
of ripening as to cover a period of three months with a daily supply of luscious Plums. 
The trees grow so quickly, produce so abundantly, and the fruit is so large and fine that it 
is possible to produce these delicious Plums as abundantly and cheaply as our most common 
apples. They are much less liable to the black-knot than the European varieties, and are 
never seriously injured by the curculio. They are beautiful in appearance, superior in 
quality, and many of them will keep from ten days to two weeks after picking, a great 
point in fa\-or of their marketing. Like the peach, the trees grow so fast and bear so hca\'ily 
that they have a tendency to be short li\'ed. Growers should keep planting some trees 
each year so as to keep up the supply. The trees produce so abundantly that some have 
feared a glut of the fruit and planting for the last year or two has fallen off, but we predict 
larger returns from the fruit in the next few years for those who stick to them and keep 
planting. 
♦ 
NEW VARIETIES 
OCTOBER PURPLE. One of the latest of all 
the Japs. Another of Luther Burbank's pro- 
ductions that promises to be a leading commer- 
cial variety on account of extreme lateness. 
Late is the word when we talk of the greatest 
profit from Plum-growing in the North. 
Luther Burbank speaks of this Plum thus: 
"October Purple is a .splendid grower, ripens 
up its wood early to the tips; bears every 
season; fruits all over the old wood on spurs, 
instead of away out on the branches like many 
other kinds. Fruit very uniform in size. It is 
a superb variety." Specimens of the fruit 
measuring 7 inches in circumference were sent 
from California to Connecticut, and not only 
arrived in good condition, but kept for three 
weeks afterwards. Fruit is large, dark purple 
jand of good quality. 
CLIMAX. Fruit is heart shaped, as large as 
Wickson, and more highly colored, so fragrant 
that a whole house is perfumed with a single 
fruit. Professor H. E. Van Deman, in The 
Rural New-Yorker says: "Climax is about the 
largest Plum I have ever seen, except Kelsey. OCTOBER PURPLE 
The shape is oval and quite regular. In color , • „ , 
it is a deep reddish purple, very rich lookmg and attractive. The flesh is yellow and 
firm until fiiUy ripe, when it becomes melting and juicy. It is almost a freestone. The 
flavor is a pleasant sub-acid, with a peculiar aroma that is deliciously refreshing. The 
quahty is much better than that ot any early Plum^ I know, and is good compared 
with any kind. It ripens before Willard or Red June." 
SHIRO. A strong grower, wood hard and wiry. Fruit is produced in profusion, medium 
to large, clear light yellow, with thin white bloom. The Rural New Yorker says: "This 
is one of the best for home use and we think would be acceptable in any market not strongly 
prejudiced against yellow Plums. As grown here Shiros are equal to the finest California 
grown Plums in appearance and 1,000 per cent, better in quaUty." 
SULTAN. Another of Mr. Burbank's creations. His endorsement is a suflicient guar- 
anty. Prof. Van Deman says: "Sultan is my choice of all the new Plums which I have 
tested. It is a cross between Wickson and Satsuma; large — being over two inches in 
diameter, and nearly round in shape. The surface is smooth, dark wine-red or garnet, and 
very handsome. The flesh is garnet color, too, and rich looking. In flavor it is excellent. 
No Plum that I have eaten is better, and when cooked it could scarcely be equalled. I 
look for this Plum to take a high place in public favor." Exceedingly productive, ripening 
a week before Burbank; a great keeper. 
GONZALES. Of Texas origin and supposed to be the product of Japan and a native 
cross. Fine, vigorous, spreading grower. Plums large and round, bright, deep red; flesh 
meaty and quite firm, Hght mottled red in color, sweet and refreshing; clingstone, not much 
affected by rot. Season, late August. This appears to be a useful Plum. 
