FROM GROWER TO CONSUMER 
57 
Brown’s Plums—The Universal Fruit 
Plum trees thrive in a great diversity of soil, but seem to require 
that the soil have good drainage; warmth of soil is a factor towards 
perfection. Planting at least 2 or 3 trees, preferably 2 or more 
varieties in a group, rather than to plant a Plum tree singly, will 
take care of such varieties as are deficient in fertile pollen, i. e., 
varieties that will not fertilize themselves sufficiently. Plums require 
little pruning but thinning the fruit on all varieties should be the 
regular practice—Japanese Plums particularly are much inclined 
to overbear. 
The Plums below are in two general classes; Japanese and 
European. The Japanese varieties are so noted, following the name. 
Those not designated, are European. Prunes are freestone Plums, 
suitable for drying. 
Best European Sorts 
Bradshaw. Leads all other Plums in number of trees, according 
to a survey of the leading orchards. The trees grow large and 
well formed, bear regularly and heavily. The Plums are large, 
attractive in appearance, being a light purplish red changing to 
dark reddish at maturity, which occurs in July. 
Coe's Golden Drop. Large and handsome, oval; light yellow; 
flesh firm, rich and sweet; adheres to stone. Bears last of Sep¬ 
tember. 
Fellemberg. (French or Italian Prune). Large, oval; purple, 
juicy and delicious, parts from the stone; fine for drying. Sep¬ 
tember. 
German Prune. Large, dark blue, showing a dense bloom when 
ripe; rich and agreeable flavor; well thought of for drying, and 
therefore commercially desirable. September. 
Imperial Gage. Large, oval, greenish, juicy, rich and delicious; 
parts from the stone. Very productive and one of the best. Mid¬ 
dle of August. 
Lombard. Probably the most widely planted in America; medium 
size, violet-red in color, hardy and productive, having a good 
market value. August. 
Moore’s Arctic. Size medium or below, skin purplish black, with 
a thin blue bloom; flesh greenish yellow, juicy, sweet and pleas¬ 
ant flavor. Charles Downing speaks of it as follows: “A new, 
hardy Plum, which originated in the highlands of Aroostook 
County, Maine.” August. 
Reine Claude. (Green Gage). For the qualities that gratify the 
sense of taste, richness of flavor, consistency and texture of flesh, 
the Reine Claude is unsurpassed. The trees are very productive 
and bear regularly. Fruit ripens in July and is of yellowish green. 
Shipper’s Pride The fruit is of large size, it being no uncommon 
occurrence to find specimens measuring 2 inches in diameter 
each way, as it is nearly round. It is what Mr. Charles Downing 
calls a semi-cling, of handsome, dark purple color; excellent 
for canning and a good shipper. October. 
Luscious Burbank Plums. 
Shropshire Damson. Is the best known of the Damsons, 
being found not only in nearly all commercial plantations 
but in the smallest home collections as well. Shropshire is 
enormously productive, bearing its load of fruit year after 
year. It is standard among fruits for productivity and re¬ 
liability in bearing, which is late in season. October. 
Yellow Egg. Large, golden yellow egg-shaped fruit, sweet 
and mild flavor; flesh somewhat coarse, but excellent for 
cooking purposes. September. 
Red June. A consensus of the opinion of those who have 
had actual experience with the variety shows that it closely 
follows Abundance and Burbank in popularity. The color is a 
mottled garnet-red overlaid with thin but very dist.nct and 
delicate bloom. Ripens early in July. 
Satsuma. Skin dark, dull red, thin bloom; flesh dark purplish 
red, juicy, sweet, with almond-like flavor, good quality; 
stone very small, midseason; fruit medium to large in size, 
roundish. One of the best in its class in quality for either 
dessert or culinary purposes, keeps and ships well. Trees are 
above the average in size, habit, health, hardiness and pro¬ 
ductiveness. 
Best Japanese Varieties 
Abundance. Large and beautiful; amber, turning to a rich, 
bright cherry; flesh light yellow, juicy and tender, sweet, 
exceedingly productive. Season, very early. 
Burbank. Large and beautiful, clear cherry red; an abundant 
bearer; valuable market variety. Ripens early in September. 
October Purple. Large, dark rich maroon. Stone small; 
flavor fine. Ripens middle of September. 
All varieties of Plums, especially 
Japanese sorts, make handsome orna¬ 
mental trees as well as being rich in 
fruit. 
