40 
THE FRENCH IS THE 
PRUNES 
The prune is one of the most important fruit industries of the Pacific 
Coast. All the standard varieties are planted throughout California, while in 
Washington and Oregon, especially in the coast regions, planting is confined 
principally to the Fellenberg, commonly known as Italian, it being practically 
the only variety suitable for the northwest. In California the French Prune 
(Petite Prune d’Agen) is the principal variety, followed closely by the popu¬ 
lar sorts, such as Imperial, Robe de Sargent and Sugar, which latter varieties 
appear to thrive best along the Northern California coast regions, especially 
in Sonoma Valley and northward. These varieties are used for drying, while 
the Tragedy and Hungarian are used for fresh shipping, bringing handsome 
returns to the planter by producing regular crops of fine fruit every year. The 
Tragedy ripens in early July and planters have found it to their advantage to 
plant the Climax plum as a pollinizer, which enlarges the size of the fruit as 
well as insuring regular and abundant crops. 
Prunes are budded on almond, peach and myrobolan roots. The almond 
root for dry gravelly soils, the peach root for light sandy silt, and loamy soils, 
while the myrobolan is suited for heavy, wet soils, especially those which have 
poor drainage, also for river bottoms where there is a standing high water 
level. The prune delights, however, in the rich, deep loams, where it bears 
regular and large crops of fruit. 
The trees should be planted from 20 to 2 5 feet apart. The same general 
pruning instructions should be followed as in pruning the plum, with the ex¬ 
ception that in some varieties of prunes, especially the Sugar severe pruning 
is required each season, cutting back all new growths to one-half and even 
two-thirds, and all the fruit spurs should be shortened in. Long, stringy 
growth of wood which forms long, barren, bearing surface should be over¬ 
come, as this condition is liable to occur in any plum or prune orchard, espe¬ 
cially in localities where there is a long growing period. Under such condi¬ 
tions should the orchardist find that he is at a loss to know how to prune his 
trees for best results he can readily find some one who understands this work 
or secure the information especially suited for his particular orchard from the 
nurseries located near him. 
We are always ready to assist our friends and customers in giving such in¬ 
formation as they desire relative to the best methods of taking care, pruning 
and handling of their orchards, and it is a pleasure to us to give such assist¬ 
ance when requested. 
The price of dried prunes is based on the number of fruit in a pound. Those 
varieties showing the largest fruits and having the largest contents of sugar, 
as well as a fine appearance after being processed, command the high prices. 
Price of Prune Trees—On Apricot, Peach, Myrobolan and Almond Roots 
Each 
$ .80 
.70 
.60 
.50 
10 
$7.00 
6.00 
5.00 
4.00 
French 
100 
$50.00 
45.00 
40.00 
30.00. 
of being more 
1 year.6 to 8 ft. 
1 year.4 to 6 ft. 
1 year.3 to 4 ft. 
1 year.2 to 3 ft. 
The French or (Petite d’Agen) enjoys the reputation 
widely grown in California than any other prune. 
The tree is a very vigorous grower, and bears abundantly in most all sec¬ 
tions of the State. The fruit is of medium size, egg shaped, has rather a thin 
neck and a deep violet color. The flesh is of good quality, sweet, and very 
sugary. It certainly has no equal as a drying prune. 
We believe larger profits have been derived of late years from French prune 
orchards than from any other variety of fruits, and for this reason do not hesi¬ 
tate to highly recommend large commercial plantings of this variety. 
. This prune originated in Belgium and has been referred to by 
Hungarian some as Ponds Seedling. The tree is a very vigorous grower 
and a strong bearer. 
The fruit is of large size, beautiful dark red color, and is very profitable 
for shipping purposes. In many cases it is cut and dried in the same manner 
as an apricot, and exposed before drying to the fumes of sulphur. 
The dried product has a bright red color and is sold commercially as “Ruby 
Plums.” It is recommended for planting in most all sections of California. 
Ripens middle of August and September. 
. _ _ . This prune is successfully grown in the northern 
Imperial Fpineuse part of the state, as well as many sections of the in¬ 
terior valleys. It is highly prized for its drying qualities, on account of its 
large size and beautiful color. When properly packed, it presents an appear¬ 
ance in the prune market which cannot be equalled by any other variety. 
The tree is a strong thrifty grower, and in the sections mentioned, is a heavy 
