268 
THE CULTIVATOR. 
Sept. 
Seven Desirable Plums. 
[We are indebted to our correspondent, C. Reagles, 
of Schenectady, for the following descriptions of seven 
varieties of the plum, and the accompanying remarks. 
We cannot quite agree with him in recommending them 
at this early day, as “worthy of universal cultivation,” 
as nearly all of them are as yet untested, except in a 
comparatively limited district. Very extensive and long 
confeaued trial in regions less favorable for the growth 
of the plum than Schenectady, (which is indeed nearly 
unequalled in this respect,) are required to authorize 
so wide a recommendation. The high flavor ascribed 
to some of these sorts by our correspondent, may be 
owing to the peculiarly favorable influences of that 
region. We should be glad to receive specimens of the 
fruit of the newer sorts for examination.— Eds ] 
A plum tree to meet the requirements of the culti¬ 
vator, should produce well flavored fruit, possess a 
happy habit of growth, a vigorous constitution, and 
the ability to successfully contend with the elemental 
peculiarities of our changeable climate. 
The “ Jefferson ” plum is a choice fruit of the most 
magnificent dimensions; hence pomologists recommend 
its general dissemination. Unfortunately for the eager 
ones who act upon the advice, when too late they dis¬ 
cover that the Jefferson has a feeble constitution, and 
is subject to premature decay. The deservedly lauded 
“Green Gage ” is very difficult to propagate; indeed, 
not a few nurserymen have discontinued its cultiva¬ 
tion. “ Huling’s Superb” never bears a good crop. 
The “ Peach Plum ” is as tender as a geranium. 
“ Coes’ Golden Drop” is a shy bearer. The Washing¬ 
ton 1 icks flavor and constitution. Most of the recent¬ 
ly introduced French varieties are either tender or 
short lived. 
marten’s seedling. 
In view of the above facts—which my experience 
has clearly demonstrated—it is with the livliest satis¬ 
faction that I submit the subjoined descriptions of 
seven sorts, inheriting most of the desirable qualities 
hoped for in the plum. All of them have stood the 
test of at least ten years, and some have been in high 
repute for a half century. 
Marten’s Seedling. —This fine plum was first in¬ 
troduced to cultivation by Prof. Jackson, of Union 
College, discovered by him as an accidental seedling 
in the garden of Mr. Marten, of this city. The tree 
as a grower is anomalous to its congeners, not infre¬ 
quently making shoots exceeding eight feet long in a 
season. Its luxuriant habit is only equalled by its 
precocious and enormous fecundity. The wood is dark 
green and perceptibly pubescent; the limbs are small 
without much projection, leaves a deep emerald green. 
Fruit large size, oblong, suture irregular, apex slightly 
sunken, stalk an inch long, set in a small cavity; 
skin golden yellow, faintly marbled with green and 
bespecked with carmine on the side exposed to the 
sun; flesh yellow, juicy, sprightly and high flavored, 
separates from the stone; season, first week of Sep¬ 
tember. 
FULTON. 
Fulton. —A local variety, which I found growing as 
the genius loci of the gardens of Fulton county, N. Y. 
It is there abundant in every plot and flourishes with¬ 
out the slightest care. Some of the trees are old 
enough to become land-marks, and still yield respec¬ 
table crops of plums. The tree attains a very large 
size and is perfectly free from disease. The wood w'hen 
young is almost a bright crimson, covered with broad 
corrugated leaves. It is a rampant grower and re¬ 
markably erect. Fruit medium size, oval, suture 
strongly defined; skin bright yellow, interspersed with 
rough brown spots of irregular shape; flesh yellow, 
fine grained, juicy, high flavored, and for the des¬ 
sert not surpassed by any plum grown; stalk three- 
quarters of an inch long, inserted in a moderately deep 
cavity; separates from the stone ; ripens in October, 
and will in this locality hang until November, without 
decaying. [We figured and described this fine plum 
on p. 318, vol. x, of the Country Gentleman, from 
specimens received of John Wilson, of Albany. The 
figure here given represents the fruit as more globular 
than that, which was a very accurate portrait.— Eds ] 
Schenectady Catharine —Has been in my grounds 
for fitty years, and is very common, in the neighbor¬ 
hood. It is exceedingly hardy and prolific, easily re¬ 
conciled to unfavorable situations. The fruit is small 
but abundant. In flavor it is quite equal to the 
“ Green Gage,” and in every other particular is 
