4 
NOTES ON PLUM CULTURE. 
achieved success. Later comers can, and should, profit by 
the experience of these pioneers. The methods they have 
found successful can be safely followed, no matter how they 
differ from those successfully practiced elsewhere. 
The specific rules to which I here refer are often dis- 
cussed in public, and frequently the views expressed are 
very diverse. Two men may discuss a particular practice, 
each persistent in holding his honestly expressed conviction, 
derived from personal experience, to be the only correct 
one. Each knows he is right and no amount of discussion 
will bring them to the same view. The newcomer seeking 
information is confused by the opposite views so strenuously 
contended for. Transactions of societies and the horticultu- 
ral press bear evidence that such discussions are not infre- 
quent. I'he writer is of the opinion that in many cases 
these discussions do more harm than good, or are at least 
profitless, because they are dropped with the differences un- 
explained. Inquiry will often bring out differences in the 
local conditions under which the experiences have been ac- 
quired that will fully account for the diverse views expressed. 
The idea that I would emphasize and urge upon those 
who contemplate entering upon horticulture as a business is, 
that a careful study should be made of all the conditions 
surrounding the particular place chosen. Sum up the ex- 
perience of the pioneers, consider the liability to late spring 
frosts, and early fall frosts, to storms and winds. Examine 
into the water supply, soil, subsoil, slope, exposure, direc- 
tion of prevailing winds, and every other feature that may 
have bearing upon future success. Attention to these factors 
will enable intelligent action, saving expense and avoiding 
disappointment. 
I am lead to dwell in some detail upon this matter of 
the application of specific rules because so many requests 
for advice on the points enumerated are constantly being 
received. Usually inquiries are unaccompanied by any 
statement of local conditions or aims in view, and it is diffi- 
cult, often impossible, to give the desired information ex- 
cept in the most general terms, and this is unsatisfactory 
both to the writer and to the seeker after information. 
DERIVATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF OUR PLUMS. 
The genus Prunus as now constituted embraces those 
species from which have been developed all our stone fruits, 
Almonds, Peaches, Nectarines, Apricots, Plums and Cher- 
