564 > QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Dzc., 1899. 
is probable that the fruit of this type will be especially suitable to Queensland. 
This plum is propagated in several ways-—viz., either from cuttings, suckers, 
or by budding or grafting on to selected stocks. The latter methods only 
should be chosen, as when the various varieties are grown on their own roots or 
from suckers they are usually very poor bearers and quite unprofitable, besides 
which, plants so raised are usually a perfect nuisance in the orchard or garden, 
on account of the numerous suckers that are thrown up from their roots, 
which, if let alone, as is sometimes seen in an abandoned or neglected orchard, 
form an impenetrable thicket, which rapidly spreads in area. This failure to 
bear, combined with its undesirable suckering propensities, has made growers 
chary of planting it, but these undesirable qualities may be to a great extent 
overcome by a proper system of propagation. : 
All the Chickasaw plums do best when either budded or grafted on a strong 
seedling peach stock, and as a rule, budding is preferable to grafting, as it is 
quicker and makes a more perfect union. ‘They may also be worked on Japanese 
plums, but as stocks for raising young trees, I prefer the peach seedling. When 
there are undesirable varieties of Japanese plums or peaches which are useless 
on account of their liability to infestation by the fruit fly, I strongly advise their 
being worked over with one or other of the Chickasaw plums if plums for home 
consumption or local demand are wanted. 
In selecting scions (buds or grafts) of Chickasaw plums, be careful to 
obtain same from strong healthy trees that have been proved bearers, and not 
from trees obtained by planting suckers, as by doing so you will in all probability 
produce good bearing trees. 
As previously stated, the Chickasaw plums grow well in this colony and 
produce fruit under conditions of climate that are quite unsuitable to the growth 
of any varieties of European plums (Prunus domestica), and in addition to this 
their power of resisting the attack of the fruit fly renders them an especially 
valuable fruit for Queensland, particularly in the case of gardens and small 
orchards where the fruit is required for home consumption. The fruit, which. is 
of a small to medium size, cannot be termed first-class as compared to any really 
good variety of Prunus domestica, though it may be useful in making jam, 
ies, &c., audas some of the varieties are the first plums to ripen, it has the 
further value of lengthening the plum season and of being marketable when 
there are no Southern plums to compete against it. Most of the varieties haye 
a thin, tough skin which is usually red when fully ripe, and an orange pulp of a 
somewhat pleasant sub-acid flavour, becoming distinctly acid near the stone 
which is a tight cling. When unripe, the fruit is strongly astrmgent, and it is 
probably owing to this fact that it owes its immunity from the fruit fly, as though 
the fruit is frequently pierced by the fly, the eggs laid by it very seldom develop ; 
‘in fact, I have only on one occasion seen the Wild Goose plum badly infected, 
and that was at Maryborough in 1896. 
The Chickasaw plums can be gathered when quite unripe—in fact, as soon 
as fully grown and they show signs of turning yellow—they will then colour up 
properly. ‘This is an adyantage for marketing, especially if the fruit has to be 
sent any distance. 
There are several varieties of Chickasaw plums now obtainable from 
Queensland nurserymen, of which the Wild Goose and Newman are now pretty 
widely distributed, but many of the other kinds are comparatively unknown. 
Wild Goose.—Of medium size, early, bright purplish red colour, cling- 
stone; when worked on strong peach stock bears well. Have seen it bearing 
heavily at Toowoomba, Buderim Mountain, and several places on coast. 
WNewman.—Smaller than Wild Goose, and from one to two weeks later; 
light scarlet, clingstone. Not as good a grower as Wild Goose. When on 
peach a fair bearer. 
Helm.—Small plum, very early, good bearer, but of a weak, straggling 
habit of growth. Forms a dense bush, and requires some pruning and 
thinning out to produce good fruit. 
