p EULLETm N0. 32. SEPTEMBER, 1894. i‘ . Varieties of Plams. ll. injurious Fungi and Insects. Ill. Varieties 0f Apricots. IV; Varieties 0i Japan Persimmons. AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL COLLEGE TEXAS; POSTOFFICE : ‘COLLEGE STATION, BRAZOS 00., TEXAS. All Reports from this Station are sent free to farmers of the State on application to J. H. OONNELL, DIRECTOR, P. O. College Station, 'I‘exas, . AU STIN: . BEN C. JONES s: C0,, STATE PRINTERS. . ' . 1894 [473] b TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. OFFICERS. G OVERNING BOARD . BOARD OF DIRECTORS A. 8'. M. COLLEGE. - . [474] h i; ‘r > V ‘ v f ,. “A a j i‘ MAJ. A. J. RosE, President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Salado. S?‘ Hon. JOHN E. HOLLI.NGS\VOR’1‘H, State Com. Agr. .. ... . . . . . . . . . . .. Austin. IION. W. R. CAVITT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Bryan. DR. J. D. FIELDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Ma-norf HON. JNO. ADRIANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Columbia- TREASURER. S PRESIDENT L. S. Ross . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. College Stations? STATION STAFF. A J. H. CONNELL, M. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Director. H. H. HARRINGTON, M. S0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Chemist. M. FRANCIS. D.V. M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Veterinarian. R. H. PRICE, B. s .......................................... .. Horticulturist. 1). ADRIANCE, M. S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Meteorologist, Associate Chemist. J AS. CLAYTON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Agriculturist. J. W. CARsON, B. S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assistant to Director.- A. M. SOULE, B. S. A. . . . _ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assistant Agriculturist. 5 P. S. TILSON. M. S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Assistant in Chemistry. SUB-STATION SUPERINTENDENTS. - J. FERGUSON. ..; . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . McKinney. Collin O0. ‘j J. W. PHILLIPS ..................... ........ .. Wichita Falls, Wichita Co; TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. Test 0f Plums, Apricots and Japan Persimmons R. H. PRICE, B. s. SUMMARY OF CONCLUSIONS. 1. Over twenty varieties 0f plums have originated in Texas. Some of them, belonging to the Chickasaw group, are more productive and more free from injury by insects and fungi than other varieties tested , here. 2. The following varieties of the Chickasaw group are recommended for general orchard planting: Caddo Chief, Lone Star, Marianna, Mun- son, Newman, Paris Belle, Robinson, and Transparent. ' 3. The Wild Goose group does not seem so well adapted to Texas as the Chickasaw group. 4. The Chickasaw group seems better adapted to Texas than the , American group. 5. The European species of plums has almost entirely failed. 6. The Japan plums are of good size and flavor. Very attractive, i and would ship well. Many of the varieties need t0 be sprayed to pre- ‘ ‘vent injury by insects and fungi. 7. The following Japan varieties are promising: Abundance, Bur- bank, Douglas, Georgeson, Kelsey, and Norman. 8. Marianna as plum stock does not do well for all varieties, espec- - ially when they are set on, dry upland. 9. Nearly all injurious fungi and insects can be prevented from do- I ing injury to plums by spraying ‘the trees with three ounces of London purple stirred into every‘ twenty-five gallons of Bordeaux mixture. Spraying should begin early, before the bloom all falls off, and be re- , peated every two weeks till the fruit is half grown. ' prevent blight defoliating the trees early in the fall. 10. It is often necessary to spray once after the fruit is gathered, to [475] 476 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 11. Plums are more fruitful if several varieties which bloom near the same time are set close together in the orchard. 12. The following apricots are the most promising which we have tested: Myer? s Early and Royal. _ . 13. Japan Persimmon is a very promising new fruit which seems well adapted to Texas. It grows well when budded upon stock of the native wild persimmon. The most promising varieties tested are Hach-iya. Tane-Nashi, and Zengi. 14. This first has a tough skin and a long period of ripening, which enable it to be shipped well. VARIETIES OF PLUMS. 4'77 VARIETIES or PLUMS. Over twenty varieties of plums have originated in Texas. Some 0f them are more productive than any other varieties tested here, and at the same time are almost free from injury by insect enemies and fungus diseases. T0 secure the hardiness and productiveness of these native seedlings and the large size and good quality of the best Japan plums in one variety.offers a most promising field of work to the scientific horticulturist. While we have several of our own seedlings growing, yet our attempts in trying to cross the hardy Chickasaw with" the best Japan varieties have so far failed. Luther Burbank of California is do- ing some good work in this line. During the past two years considerable work has been devoted to the study of varieties under test and to combatting insects and fungi injuri- ous to this fruit. _ The experimental orchard Was set during the winter of 1888 and 1889. i ‘The trees were set fifteen, by fifteen feet apart, upona rather loose clay loam soil of medium fertility, underlaid by an almost impervious white clay. Surface drainage has been fair. Clean cultivation has been given by using a one-horse turning plow. During the time the orchard has been set two long drouths have severely tested the drouth resisting quali- ties of all the varieties. Several varieties which had showed weakness {luring the past two years died during last summer. _ They were at once investigated, and the facts brought out appear further on this bulletin. While it is not the object of this, bulletin to give elaborate discussion of the reasons for classifying certain varieties in particular groups, still it is believed the classifications used are reliable. At the same time we are aware, as Prof. Bailey statedfi“ “ the native plums constitute proba- bly the hardest knot in American pomology,” and it is therefore exceed- ingly difficult to_ classify them correctly at the present time. I. CHICKASAW GRoUP (Fig. No. ly-Prunus angirustzlfolia, Marshall; Prunus chickasaw, Mich. ) This group is described by Bailey as differing from the Wild Goose group (Prunus hortulana, Bailey) in “having a more slender, spreading, and zigzag growth, usually smaller size of tree, red twigs; by smaller, lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate very closely serrate shining leaves, which lare conduplicate or trough-like in habit; by early small flowers which, upon old wood, are‘ densely clustered on the spurs, and by an early red (rarely yellow) and more or less spotted transparent fruit, the flesh of which is soft, juicy, and more or less stringy and very tightly adherent to the small, broad, roughish stone.” The trough-like leaves and zig- zag twigs are perhaps the most decided characteristics, and are shown in figure No. 1. This species occurs wild in the State, where it often ap- pears as a thorny bush. Many valuable varieties have come from this species. * Cornell University, Bull. 38, p. 4. 478 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. Leaf and stones jiull size. t \\\ “m ‘\ ‘ é~ Q =;.~=§_ - Q- !_' ~ . ‘I Ecifi (‘a w" \"“‘ i ~‘ ~\\\ .\ .1. 1 .. 1 ~11” v . IWJJun/J/MLI . fi/.fl% 1 . .1. % . . .11. , 110 e . 4/1..» I11... _.1 _ \II1II/r \.. v / / .. .1... . 7... .1111... i. . 4.111.. .1. 1. . a 1L.’ 1 . I I 11 I111 I 1 114 141111 114 11/ I!!! I 1 .111 11111 11.. 1 /111 1 1! 1 1111 1 .1 1 .1 1 M! II . 1 141L111 0.1 . 111-, 1 .. 1,11! 1 . I .1 1 ./11.1.1.n.111 11 1.10.... #1 . . .111 m... . 1 . %....1.~1.4.. . {/1 1 I I 1 /1.1.1.1..11 . /. 11 111. r . .. l 4411111Tl< 1u y .....1 .. fi. slwc . . ... 1M». FIG. N0. 2.-—Mam'an1na. Sprays half size. Hui! and seeds full size. round, deep yellow, tinged‘ , flavor sweet and pleasant when fully ~ ium size, .)-—Med ig. N0. 3 Newman (F flesh firm 1n tough, sk Wi th red 7 e. g0 0mm mm f“ s, Q h C n a I1 b _ rooping eeond early plums. (Bailey) d ‘HS t , .1+b7 was 20m e .1 vcme ..m H dmF m.-. PmW dfy nob flty Sm.“ new .O+u+u mmn gIQ .111 vme QWm enm mof 111 mwfiem Pne iau Fhd VARIETIES OF PLUMS. i 481 -~~ _ ,_. ,,_. . ._ ~:::::.':-'_-‘,-'.-'.~'.-.-::: - 1 i‘ !{';, -‘wmawnm.ulffififififigg,1_ . . \\ \‘\: _) I I _ ‘Snu-iinrunn‘ .. ‘i a *—~—_ _.~_i--.- . ~ ' 7 " \. ‘$R~‘~*$~"-"==:~.\=:»:<;I\\# ; ‘Q " " Ifwfim-UM i‘ ‘7‘.~.-.-.-.-:-' .- > . \:.2\\\ ““ '~ ’ ' ‘ " - ' \ \ h‘ \\ \ 1 . . \ . I | [III r ' 711 \ ~ \. \. . \ \\ \\ \\ \\ \ 1 a I /' ' ——.a . y q < /;,u!:-','.-':.r/.-::-,». -__~ - \ l ‘it I / n::»"-.'::_-.-;_=.-'=> , ~- ' ‘* l 1 _.__ v "»~‘f_;_-—+~f '. ‘ ' ‘____ . ,_¢ _ ___~'___ __ _ j -_~ . ~.— _....-nv. __ __._.- Fm. N0. 3.—-Ne2rvncmz. Natural Size. l.‘- n Ohio Prolific-Has not fruited; healthy. Paris BeZZe.--L\Iedium size, round-oval, light red; ‘skin thin, flesh yellow and firm, flavor slightly sweet and pleasant; tree rather small and drooping, blooms late, very hardy and productive, very little af- fected by insects and fungi, holds foliage on Well. Valuable late plum. Uriginated at Paris, Texas. Pottawaittanz/ie.-~Bloomed but did not fruit; now dead. Robinson.—l\ledium size, round, splashed with red; skin rather ten- ~der, flesh yellow and firm, flavor rather acid; tree low and shrubby, hardy and fairly productive, one of best ‘late plums. “Seedling grown by Mr. Pickett, Putman county, Indiana. J. H. Robinson ‘called atten- tion to it in 1879.” (Bailey.) TTG,’Il-8[)Ct7"€71t.——-l\IQdll1m size, round to oblong, light yellow, almost transparent; skin thin and tough, flesh rather soft and melting, flavor sweet and desirable-makes a pleasing contrast when‘ placed among a plate of red plums; tree rather low and upright in growth, productive and hardy, ripens fruitearly. The rust (Puccinia pruni-spinosae) af- fects foliage unless it is sprayed; perhaps same as Yellow 'l‘ransparent, which originated in Northern Texas and was introduced by J. L. Free- man. (Bailey.) Tud0r.--Above medium size, oblong, light red; skin very thin, flavor rather acid unless fully ripe; tree fairly vigorous and productive, “shot hole” fungus injures foliage unless it is sprayed; heteropterous insect punctured fruit considerably and caused it to be knotty. A note con- cerning the insect appears in latter part of the bulletin. Wootern-Dledium size, roundish, light red; skin rather tough. flesh yellow and rather soft. flavor sweet and pleasant; curculio injured 25 per cent of fruit; tree fairly vigorous and very productive, foliage in- jured badly in fall by blight. “ Found wild in Central Texas and in- gtroduced by A. M. Ramsey” (Bailey.) 482 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. II. WILD GoosE GRoUP (Fig. N0. 4).-—(Pru'nus hortulana, Bailey.) This species is somewhat intermediate between Americana and Chick- asaw groups ; and since it has come into prominence through the efforts of horticulturists, Bailey has given it the specific name Hortulana. He describes it as having “strong wide-spreading growth and mostly smooth twigs, a firm, juicy, bright-colored, thin-skinned fruit, which is never flattened, a clinging. turgid, comparatively small rough stone, which is sometimes prolonged at the ends but is never conspicuously wing-margined, and by comparatively thin and firm shining, smooth, flat, more or less peach-like, ovate-lanceolate or ovate long-pointed leaves which are mostly closely and obtusely glandular-serrate, and the stalks of Which are usually glandular?“ UZdrd.--Has bloomed but bore no fruit, foliage badly affected by blight; originated and introduced by Onderdonk. Golden Beduty.—l\iediu1n size, round ovate. deep clear yellow; skin l tough, flesh firm and of good quality; tree dies back at top and is in- clined to be weak, productive, blooms very late. “ Introduced by Onder- donk in 1874.” (Bailey.) . Indian Chief.—-I\Iediiun1 size. round, red; skin tough, flesh rather soft, flavor good; tree productive, but short lived. I(dndwlzd.—Small, round, red; skin tough, flesh firm, flavor rather acid; tree productive but weak in growth; now dead. Mds0n.—-Has not fruited. Mz7ner.-—Has bloomed but not fruited. Bailey makes a distinct group of it and classifies it as “ Prunus hortuland- var. wufnerm“ WaylancL-Jfledium to large, round, light red; skin and flesh tough; would ship and sell well but is a poor table plum; tree has been product- ive but weak; is now dead. Wild G00se.--Medium size, oval, light purplish red; skin tough, flesh rather soft, flavor very fair; tree not very productive, much affected by blight, foliage does not hang on well in the fall. III. AMERICAN GRoUP (Prunus dmericana, Marshall). This group is described by Bailey as being “strong growing varie- ties, which have come from the Northwest, and which are characterized by a firm, meaty, usually compressed, dull-colored late fruit, with thick and usually very tough, glaucous skin, and large more or less flattened stone, which is often nearly or quite free, and by large obovate, thick, veiny, jagged, dull leaves.”i Deep Ureelc.—l\ledium size, round, light red; skin tough, flesh yellow, flavor good; tree drooping, productive, weak in growth, fruit affected some by “ brown rot;” “ introduced by Abner Allen.” (Bailey.) De S0t0.—Very Weak, did not fruit, dead. “ Found wild at De Soto, Wis.; introduced by Elisha Hale, Lansing, Ia.” (Bailey.) Forest Garde12.-Did not fruit, dead. “Introduced by H. C. Ray- mond of Forest Garden nurseries, Council Bluffs, la.” (Bailey) *Cornel1 University, Bull. 38, p. 16. 1‘ Cornell University, Bull. 38, p. 23. ICornell Univtersity, Bull. 38, p. 5. VA RIETIES OF PLUMS. 483 i , '" . Wrflkrl m I; jlrl/Iiiy-lfr‘ i '.>)"‘,f!_',71~},.~,/1:Kr~\m» y ¢ FIG. No. 4.— Wild Goose. Sprays halfszfze, stones full size. Qualcer.—I~Ias not fruited, foliage injured some by blight. “ Discov- 1 ered Wild by Joseph Bundy, Springville, Ia.” (Bailey) i . Weaver. Large, round-oblong" _“mottled red;” ‘skin tough, flesh f; rather firm, flavor very good; tree very productive but has been much TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. affected by blight. The most desirable plum 0f the American group; which has fruited here, needs to be sprayed to save the foliage; ripens ifruit middle of July. IV. EUROPEAN SPECIES (Prunus domestica). The prunes and damsons are representatives 0f this group and are " very easily distinguished. So far not one in the test has borne fruit here. At other places where I have seen this group bear fruit, the cur-p culio was a very serious enemy. It did much more injury to this group ‘a than to the Chickasaw, growing near by. Bradshaw.--Ilas not fruited, hardy. Clyma/m-Jlas not fruited, affected by some blight. DawtsmL-Ilas not fruited, healthy. A Reine Claude de B0vay.—Has not fruited, dead. RichlancL-Jlas not fruited, very weak. . Rufs Ch0z'ce.—-PIas not fruited, foliage affected some by blight. ~ Suntmev‘ Prune.——ilas not fruited. dead. Texas Guage.—Has not fruited, dead. Waslzi1zgtorrz.—flas not fruited, healthy. V. JAPAN GRoUP (Fig. No. 5).—(Prun'uis triflora, Rox.) Great con fusion has existed among nurserymen and growers concerning nomenclature of varieties and botanical position of this new class of plums, which has during the past few years been imported from Japan. Dr. J. T. Whitaker, of Tyler,‘ Texas, and myself were placed on a committee of nomenclature concerning these plums by the State Horticultural Society, ' during its annual meeting in July, 1893. Shortly afterwards forms for 1' taking notes upon were sent to Dr. Whitaker, who reported upon sev- * eral which were not in our list, as shown. further on. Prof. Bailey, who has devoted much study to this group. has classified them all as coming from Prun/us iriflora?“ Heistates that “aplum found in the botanic gardens at Calcutta about seventy years-ago by Roxburgh, and by him named Prunus trzflora, seemed the most likely parent.” He also states that “ Prof. Georgeson, who had spent some years in Japan in a critical study of its products, definitely referred theseplums to Prunus triflom of Roxburgh.” Specimens in the Kew Herbarium, England, partly col- " lected by Roxburgh, and others, from the Ava Hills of Northwest India, Prof. Bailey states, nearly all our knowledge of Prunus triflora seems to rest upon. The following description is by Bailey: “Trees of strong growth, with widely spreading, long forked branches, which are light ; , colored and marked with corky elevations, the young growth not pub- escent, the buds three or more at the joint, and the leaf-scars often small; flowers two to three from each bud, generally rather small and short- stalked and sometimes not opening wide, leaves firm but rather thin in feeling, and not pubescent ‘nor rough-nettled below, although the whitish veins are pronounced, very’ smooth and often somewhat shiny above, commonly long~obovate or sometimes nearly elliptic in outline, and the point usually prominent, the edges marked- with fine, close serratures; i *Corne1l University, Bull. 62, pp. 5, 6 and 8. VARIETIES OF PLUMS.- ‘ 485 ' fruit globular or more often conical, and with a deep depression at base, f and a ver_y prominent suture, the flesh clinging to or free from the smooth or tightly pitted scarcely Winged pit.” _ Flo. No. 5. lV/znter buds of three specie-s 0f phmzs.—_—N0. 1, Pr/zmus d0- mestica; Nos. 2 and 3, Prunus triflora; N0. 4 [Pram/us Ehortulancz. While I do not agree With Prof, Bailey entirely in classifying all these varieties as Prunus triflora, yet it seems that it is the best that can be done till all have been fruitcd and studied more. Mr. P. J. Berkmans, in a recent letter to me states. “Whilst we class most of the Japan plums- .‘ under the species Prwnus japonica, We still divide this into three distinct "groups. Prunus trijlorct is no doubt the parent of some of the Japan varieties, but I am satisfied from the infloresence of many varieties, like ! Ugon and others, that they belong to a distinct type, Which may, no 5 doubt, be Prun/us japonica. Possibly these have been crossed and thus produce many forms. I do not, therefore, think that all came from one ‘ source; there is too much differencein their growth, foliage and inflor-s» ; escence to Warrant a common origin._ Whilst my friend Bailey is no a doubt correct in ‘his classification from the observations taken in northern ' sections, our climate here has considerable influence upon habits of va-- TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. rious varieties, which would bring them nearer to the same influence of their native country, hence, as Bailey says. all knowledge of Prulnus triflora seems t0 rest upon botanical specimens from Kew Ilerbarium.” The three groups Mr. Berkmans refers to are: 1st, Hattankio, of which the Kelsey is a type; 2nd, Beni-Smomo, or red-fleshed, of which the Satsuma is a type; and 3rd, Smomo, of which Abundance and Burbank are types. Bailey argues well in the interest of Iiomenclature and a bet- ter understanding, that these “group names of the Japanese” should be discarded. The Japanese plums as a class are, beyond doubt, a great acquisition to our American fruits. Most of them are hardy in the South, and several are hardy in the North. The fruit is handsome, of good size and qual- ity. Most of them bear shipping well. As an objection it may be stated that some of them are inclined to bloom too early, and in some places ‘the fruit is injured by curculio and the foliage by blight. I think, how- ever, both of these enemies can be held in check by careful spraying. Abundance (Fig. No. 6, Yellow-Fleshed Botan).-Medium size, round- ish, sometimes sharp pointed, the point often oblique, a slight suture extends all the way; skin rather tender, color greenish yellow to rich yellow, splashed with red on side exposed to sun, flesh firm, yellow, very juicy, sweet, quality excellent, clingstone; tree upright, hardy and fairly productive; curculio injured 10 per cent of fruit; foliage affected some by blight, needs to be sprayed here. One of the best Japan plums. “ Imported by Luther Burbank in 1884, named Abundance and put upon the market by J. T. Lovett in 1888.” (Baileym) Berger (Fig. No. 7, Shiro Smomo).—-Bloomed here, but did not fruit; trees now dead. Dr. Whitaker makes the following report: “Size under medium, reddish purple; skin tough and very thin, flesh firm, quality the best; tree upright and vigorous in growth, medium hardy. bloomed March 10th, flowers white and small, ripened its fruit June 1st.” Full Size. l FIG. No. 7. Berger. Berkma-ns (Fig. No.8, White-Fleshed Botan, Sweet Botan, Botan).- This plum has not been in our test. but the following description by Bailey is given to distinguish it from Abundance: “Medium, broadly and obtusely conical and somewhat angular in cross-section; deep blood- red if ripened in the sun; flesh very sweet, moderately juicy, excellent . ., .u.a,.~_.._m..',za.afl vozmpunqy '9 ‘OM "911 VARIETIES OF PLUMS. 487 in quality, cling or semi-cling; ripens with Abundance or just ahead 0f it. One 0f the best. Introduced by Luther Burbank in 1887 from im- ported stock.” Fro. No. 8. Berkma/ns (Sweet Botcm.) Burbank (Fig. No. 9)'.—The following report is made by Dr. Whit- aker: “Fruit large to very large, roundish, oblique point, yellow splashed with red; skin tough, flesh firm, flavor sub-acid--the best; tree open spreading, vigorous and productive, ripens fruit June 15th to 20th. One of the most reliable for general orchandists.” Perhaps Burbank No. 2 of Bailey. Mo. No. 9. Burbank. Ifctlj‘ size. Chab0t.—Has not fruited here, foliage affected by blight. Described by Bailey* as “medium to large, oblong-conical; pink-red in color with many very fine gold dots; flesh yellow and juicy, rather acid, of good *Cornell University, Bull. 62, p. 22. TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. quality, cling; medium to late in season; very productive. Importecf.’ y from Japan by Chabot, 0f Berkeley, California.” ' Douglas (Munson of Bailey, Hytankayo of Whitaker).--At the re- quest of Dr. WVhitaker Lname this variety Douglas, as it will prevent. confusion, since there is another plum introduced by Onderdonk named Munson previously, and because this name is more American. I have tested the fruit, but the variety is not in our orchard, therefore the fol- lowing notes made by Dr. Whitaker are given: “ Size rather large, con-a ical, yellow, with purple tinge; skin tough, flesh firm, flavor very good; tree upright, vigorous grower, hardy and very productive. Nearly free from attacks of insects and fungi.” Imported and introduced by Dr. Whitaker. Engre.—'l‘he following notes were taken by Dr. Whitaker: “ Fruit medium size, round with pointed apex, purplish red with many white» dots, flesh firm, flavor best of any other variety known to me; tree slightly straggling, very productive and hardy, very little injury by fungi, ripens fruit June 1st.” Georgeson (Hattankin No. 1).—Medium size, oblong and occasionally conical, golden yellow; skin rather-tender, flesh rather firm, good flavor- when fully ripe, tree vigorous and trop spreading, very productive. Fruit was affected some by brown rot and considerable injury was done» by éurculio; foliage inclined to blight, needs to be sprayed. The main difference between this variety and Kerr, which it closely resembles, is. that the fruit is larger and is seldom pointed. "Imported by H. H. Ber- ger dz Co. of California, named for Prof. C. C. Georgeson, hianhattan, Kansas.” (I3aile_\k.) ' 3Y5}? p}, Fro. No. 10. Ifelsey. Three-foartlzs natural size. ilfelsey (Fig. No. 10).--Ver_y large,'long, pointed, conical in shape, yellow’, tinged and splashed with red, skin rather tender, flesh firm, more- or less hollow, slightfy clinging to the stone at base end, flavor very VARIETIES OF PLUMS. ' 489 good when fully ripe; tree upright, vigorous and productive. Curculio attacked it severely and brown rot affected it considerably; the foliage also is subject to blight. It is a valuable plum, but needs to be sprayed here. “First Japanese plum introduced into this country; named in memory of late John Kelsey, Berkeley, California.” (Bailey.) Kerr (Fig. No. 11, Hattankm N0. 2).--Medium size, conical, with decided point, green shading into yellow; skin tough, flesh rather soft, cling, flavor very fair when fully ripe; tree upright in growth, leaves vary much in size on same tree, healthy. “ Imported by Forest dz Bur- gess, Riverside, California. Named for J. W. Kerr, Denton, Maryland.” (Bailey.) a , ‘ i ‘i; ’ t‘ 4 (1);, . l’*\\\:‘§:~ a I //// ’, if,’ i V’ I " a x g \\\‘ \ t ‘\ Fro. No. 11. Kerr. Half size. Lmzg Fl~u£t.---llas not fruited here; foliage much affected by blight. Mara (Masu. hIassu).--'l‘he following report is by Dr. Whitaker: “Medium size, round, purplish red with blue bloom; skin thick, flesh yellow and coarse grained, quality medium, not so good as Burbank; tree compact, upright grower and fairly productive, bloomed March 15th, and ripens fruit last of June.” “ Imported by Burbank in 1885.” (Bailey) Normand (Fig. No. 12. Normand Yellow. Normand’s Japan).— The following report is by Dr. Whitaker: “Large, roundish. to conical, light yellow with white dots; skin thin and tough, flesh firm, flavor good, sub-acid ; tree open head, vigorous and productive, not affected by insects nor fungi.” The fruit resembles Ogon some in size and color, but I consider the quality much better. “Imported by J. L. Normand, Marksville, La.” (Baileyn) Og0/rz.-—Has not fruited here; subject to blight. _ Satsuma.—lIas not fruited here; foliage blights. Dr. Whitaker re- ports that it is very prodiwtive and hardy at Tyler. “Fruit medium size, conical, dark red ; flavor very good, ripens July 20th.” clingstone, flavor fair, rather acid, juicy; tree upright and compact ‘top; 490 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 12. Normand. One-third size. Uchi-Benz‘ (Ura-Beni. Honsmomo).-—Has not fruited here, health‘, At Tyler Dr. \'Vhitakei' reports that it is “medium productive, ripe, fruit June 5th, quality good, very small; promising only as an earl plum.” : (ftah Hybridrlfhis is a dwarf cherry; has not fruited, not promising Y08€b€.——H21S not fruited here; trees now dead. ‘A Prunus pzfssa1'dz°z' (Persian Purple-Leaved Plum).—This variety hi“ borne only a few plums, Which Were small, crimson colored and of in ferior quality’. Desirable as an ornamental tree, since it holds its purple; foliage all summer and late into fall. _ ’ Prunus sz'm0nzTz'(Simon’s Chinese Apricot Plum).--l\Ieclium size, round-éi; ish, flattened, spotted with red; skin tough, flesh very firm, yellow, foliage resembles that of peach; very hardy and fairly productivefnot affected by fungi nor insects. “ Introduced 20 years ago from China by’ Eugene Simon.” (Berkmans) _ UNCLASSIFIED LIST. Bastler-Iias not fruited; very weak. .Gen. Hcmd.—-Has not fruited, but is healthy’. Firearm-Small, round, light yellow, thin, brittle and tender; flesh soft,“ deep yellow, flavor sweet; tree hardy and fairly productive ; perhaps a Chickasaw. “ Seedling of Goliad county, and 20 years ago was named after Piram Hall.” (Onderdonk) i‘ Queen of Arkctnsas.-Has not fruited here. R~ufl"s Spanz'sh.--Bloomed March 10th, but has borne no fruit. Per- haps a Chickasaw. . " ~ < Safiold-Bloomed March 2nd, but has borne no fruit; foliage affected f some by blight. p. Wilmeth Late.--Has not fruited; very weak. “ Brought from Alabama I 45 years ago.” (Onderdonk) I Virgata.—-Bloomed in January, but has borne no fruit ; tree has some value as a shrub. ~ THE FOLLOWING TABLE SHOWS DATES OF BLOOMING AND RIPENING——THERE A WERE NO NOTES TO MAKE WHERE BLANKS OCCUR. Date of l Date of VARIETIES OF PLUMS. 491 Name of Vanety‘ I blooming. ripening. I Abundance (Yellow Fleshed Botan.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mar. l6 July 1 ; African . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . Arkansas Lombard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .- . . . . . . . . . . . .1 . . . . . . . . . . . Mar. 17 June 12 Bastle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Berkmans (White-Fleshed Botan, Sweet Botan, Botan).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1 *Berger (Shiro Smomo) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Mar. 8 June 10 , Bradshaw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ., . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *Burbank . . . . . . .- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .' . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Mar. 15 June 15 Caddo Chief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Mar. 9 May 19 Clara. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Mar. 6 June 20 Chabot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Mar. 20 June 23 ‘ q Clyman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Mar. 27 . . . . - . . . . . . f Coletta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mar. l4 June 1 Deep Creek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Mar. 4 June 27 ‘.7 D9 S0150 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Douglas (Munson, Hytankayo) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mar. 10 July 10 q Early. Red . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mar. 6 . . . . . . . . . . -1 *Engre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mar. 10 July 1 Forest Garden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i Golden Beauty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Mar. 27 July 6 Georgeson (Hattankin No. 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Mar. 24 June 15 Indian Chief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mar. 12 July 27 Jennie Lucas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mar. 17 . . . . . . . . . . Kanawha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . k . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mar. 26 July 26 Kelsey 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mar. 2 July 12 Kerr (Hatt-ankin No. 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mar. 22 June 7 Lone Star . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mar. 4 May 19 Long Fruit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . = i . Marianna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mar. 2 June 1 *Maru (Masu, Massu) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mar. 15 June 3O Mason . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . McPherson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mar. l0 May 16 Munson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mar. 2 May 19 Miner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mar. 26 . . . . . . . . . . Newman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mar. 10 June 27 *Norman (Normand’s Japan) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Mar. 15 July 2 Ohio Prolific (set ’93) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _. . . . . . . . _ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ogon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Paris Belle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 1 July 21 Piram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mar. 10 May 19 a Pottawattamie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mar. 24 . . . . . . . . . . a, i Prunuspissardii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mar. 4 . . . . . . . . . . _ 1 1 Prunus somonii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mar. 15 June 1 Quaker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .» . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _ Red Japan (set ’92) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ., . . . . . . . . . . . . ' Reine Claude De Bavay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . r- Richland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robinson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mar. 28 June 27 d Rufl"s Choice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. l ' RufPs Spanish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Mar. 12 . . . . . . . . . *Satsuma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mar. 1O July 2O 1a, Saffold . . . . . . . . ; . . . . . . . . . . .- . . . . . . _ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mar. 6 June 2 a Summer Prune . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Texas Guage. . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _ . . . . . . . . . “e Transparent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Mar. 5 May 19 * Bloomed and fruited at Tyler, Texas. 492 TExAs AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. Name of Variety. b51313; rggghgg I Tudor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .' . . . . . . . . Feb. 24 May if *Uchi-Beni (Ura Beni, Honsmomo) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mar. 10 June Utah Hybrid . . . . .; . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ., . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Washington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . Ygayland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. lMlar. guly eaver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . ar. uy Wild Goose . . . . . . . .- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mar. 16 .. . . . . . . Wilmeth Late (set ’93) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. Wooten . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Mar. 23 June f?» Yellow Transparent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mar. 9 May 1 f Yosebe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Virgata . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Jan. 3 . . . . . . . * Bloomed and fruited at Tyler, Texas. MARIANNA As PLUM STOCK. _ Cuttings 0f the Marianna plum grow readily and make a convenieu andcheap stock for the nurseryman t0 bud upon. Trees budded upo, this stock usually make a fine, thrifty growth the first two or three yea before the tops grow so large. Indiscriminate use of this stock to be fraught with serious results. While it seems well adapted t; some varieties, I am convinced, however, that other varieties are shorf lived when budded upon this stock. One main fault with the stocE; seems to be that the roots spread out too near the surface and do not g* down into the subsoil deep enough to draw moisture to sustain the tre when reaching maturity. The peach is often used for stock, but it iii open to objection also. It is frequently attacked by borers, and does no p, do well in low damp soils. There is room for considerable experimental work on this subject, which will take some time to arrive at definite con-j clusions. ~ . Several prominent Southern nurserymen were written to for their; opinions of the Marianna for plum stock, and their replies are givenf below: A -“ I IlQaVG tried both peach and Marianna plums for stock for plums, and so far» the M rianna appears much better, and I think there is nothing else that would r i excel it. The peach fails from the borer and from the least seapiness in soil at any season of the year, while the plum does not suffer from these causesP-T. V. MUNSON. “As to the Marianna for stock for plums, I know of nothing that equals it this region. I think it will prove equally good for apricots, but it is not a good .3? stock for peachP-G. ONnERnoNK. p . “ Marianna is goodfor plums, but not for peach."--E. W. KiRkrATRick. “ We have found the Marianna to be the best stock for budding Japan plums upon.”—P. J. BERKMANs. “ I do not recommend the Marianna as a stock. My experience h.as been that while the trees on Marianna make a fine growth for a few years, the tree will be f» short lived. I consider peach stock the best.”—W. WATsoN. “ Marianna as a stock is not satisfactory. It yields to the attacks of root galls. j Y‘, I am using the Prunus americana and like it very much. I think seedlings from y Hytankayo, Burbank and Satsuma will give us the best stock known to the nur- sery worldP-J. T. WHITAKER. VARIETIES 0F PLUMS. 493 The following plums which were budded upon Marianna stock have died during the past two years. No doubt drouth and fungi were partly the cause, but non-affinity between the stock and scion, which was plainly shown by the improper union in nearly all cases after the trees were split open, was undountedly the main cause: Bastle, Berger, Botan, Caddo Chief, Clyman, DeSoto, Forest Ciarden, Indian Chief, Miner, Ogon, Pottawattomie, Queen of Arkansas, Huff's Choice, Texas Guage, Wayland, Weaver, Wooten and Yosebe. The following which were budded upon peach have also died: Kanawha, Reine Claude, and Wild Goose. COMBATTING INJURIOUS INSECTS AND FUNGI. During the past two years we have used in spraying three ounces of London purple stirred into twenty-five gallons of Bordeaux mixture to prevent this fruit from being injured by insects and fungi. Selected trees in the orchard from all varieties were sprayed three times, during intervals of two weeks, beginning when the bloom had commenced to fall off from the young plums. After the fruit had ripened, samples were taken into the laboratory to be analyzed, to see if any poison could be detected. None was found. Three weeks elapsed since the last spray- ing, during which time several hard rains had fallen. Should there be any desire to remove the last trace of the mixture which might remain when the fruit ripens, it can be easily removed by immersing the fruit in water containing some vinegar. Full instructions for making Bordeux mixture are given in Bulletin No. 23. The fruit and foliage of the sprayed trees were. without exception, much. healthier, and freer from injury by insects and fungi. In some instances, where the trees were not sparayed, so much as 90 per cent of the fruit was injured by curculio. PLUM CURcULIo (Fig. No. 13. Oonotrachelas wenuplzar). This is a small, dark brown weevil, with slight projections on its back. The female cuts the skin of the young plums in a semicircular shape, and deposits the egg under the cut skin. The egg soon hatches, and the young larva bores into the plum, causing it to ripen prematurely and unevenlyi. FIG. No. 13. Plum curciulzo; a, larva," b, pupa; c, beetle, magnified; d, natural size. During the past summer we used an instrument known as “ Tree Pro- tector,” bought of the Downs Tree Protector Com pftfi)’. Boston, Mass, to trap this insect. It is simply a cupped-shaped arrangement with a \ 494 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. hole in the bottom through which the tree passes. This instrument is placed around the trunk 0f the tree t0 prevent insects crawling up. Ker- osene oil is placed in the upturned border of the bottom to catch and kill them on their return to the ground. Two curculio Were caught in the trap. Several were also found upon the fruit, which evidently had flown and lighted there, as they could not have climbed up the tree. The trap is therefore not satisfactory. Curculio fly from tree to tree, as well as climb up the trunks. The jarring method was also used. A cloth was spread under the trees early in the morning while the curculio were 11ot active, and as high as eight were caught under a single tree, 2nd of last April. Every third day the trees were gone over this way till the plums were half grown. This method will prevent the injury if kept up per- sistently, but the spraying method is considered cheaper and more bene- ficial, taking into consideration the effects of the Bordeaux upon fun- gous diseases also. It is often necessary, after the fruit is gathered, to spray once or twice to prevent blight. Spraying, to be most effective, should be done in time and in a thorough manner. A heteropterous insect, resembling in shape the common squash bug, did much injury to several varieties by puncturing the fruit with its long beak and causing the plums to be knotty. Some of the insects were sent to Prof. L. O. Howard, who pronounced them to be the “ Leaf-footed ” bug (Leptoglossus phyllopus). He stated further, “according to Hub- bard, the normal food of this bug in the South is a large thistle, upon the heads of which young and old may be found clustering and sucking the juices of the plant. The young bugs are seldom found away from the thistle, but the adults are strong flyers and enter the orange groves, suck- ing the opening buds and tender shoots, and also attacking the ripening fruit. It is probably a similar perversion of habit which leads them to ‘ attack your plums. I should not, however, advise you to eradicate the thistle, as an undesirable change of habit may result, and it will be worth while to have a certain proportion as a trap crop upon which the bugs may at any time be caught and destroyet .” 1 have not yet noticed it upon the thistle, nor has it been reported to me from other parts of the State. The preparations used upon the orchard have had no effect upon this insect, apparently. It will take something like kerosene emulsion to destroy it, as it takes its food from the inside of the plum. The blight, previously mentioned, seemed to be due to more than one fungus. Specimens of diseased leaves were sent to Prof. Galloway, who thought the injury due to three fungi, Mo/rrilia Zmharti-nia, Claclosporium and mctcrosporium fungi. The monilia fungus appearing first and the other two following. This blight is a serious thing here, and unless spraying is done early it does serious injury in the fall. Brown rot (Monilm fructigena) was _bad upon Kelsey and a few other varieties, but where the trees were sprayed it did little injury. Shot hole fungus (Septoria cerasiqza) was prevented to a great extent where the trees were sprayed; where the trees were not sprayed it was a serious disease upon a few varieties. IMPOTENT VARIETIES. Some native varieties of plums appear not to fertilize themselves, and consequently do not bear well unless fertilized bysome other variety. I have known the Wild Goose to be unproductive when planted by itself. VARIETIES OF APRICOTS. ' 495 Miner is also said to be unproductive alone. It is, therefore, better to plant mixed orchards. which are more apt to be productive. Rows of different varieties which bloom near the same time should be set near each other, so that plenty of fertile pollen may be furnished. Cuts 1 to 12 are used by courtesy of Cornell University. Cut No. 13 was obtained of Dr. Riley. VARIETIES OF APRICOTS. The apricots were planted at the same time, upon the same soil, and the. same distance apart as the plums. “ There are three species of apricots: the purple (Prawn/us daisy/carpet), the Chinese or Japanese (Przonus mume), and the common and Russian apricots (Pr/ulnus Armeniacogfii None of the purple class have been in our tests. 1. PRUNUS MUME (Chinese or Japanese Apricoty-Jflie fruit of this class is rather small, greenish yellow, With a rather hard and dry flesh, which adheres firmly to the stone. The leaves are generally narrower and longer pointed than those of the common apricot. The fruit is of inferior quality, being too acid to be of high flavor. Bungoume (Hubbard Apricoty-Rountiish, somewhat flattened, large ; skin yellow, flesh yellow, rather soft when fully ripe, very acid; very early, not productive. Bloomed February* 9th, ripened May 15th. Gold DusL-Jfhe following report is by Dr. Whitaker: “ Roundish, large; skin tough and smooth, reddish yellow; flesh yellow and firm, flavor very fair; medium productive. Bloomed March 10th, ripened May 10th.” Hancthouma-Jleported by Dr. Whitaker. “ Roundish, medium size; skin thin and tough, reddish yellow ; flesh white, slightly mealy, flavor under medium ; very early. Bloomed Feb. 13th, ripened May 1st.” K0ume.--Reported by Dr. W'hitaker. “ Roundish, size under medium; skin yellow, tough; flesh yellow, slightly mealy, quality poor; very early.” II. PRUNUS ARMENIACA (Common Apricot).—-The fruit of this group is usually sweet and of good quality; fruit reddish or yellow, and flesh free. Bailey states ,that “ this fruit is native of Northern China, Mongolia and Mandshuria, but cultivated from the earliest times, and once thought to have come from Asia Minor, whence the specific name, Armeniaca or Armenian. “These Russian apricots were introduced into this country by the Mennonites, who settled in the West. ifhely were grown in the coun- try so long ago as 1876, and probably earlier/W‘ Aleocctnderr-Has not fruited; healthy. AZeocZs.--Bloomed March 13th, but did not fruit. Eurelca.—Bloomed March 14th. but has not fruited. Jackson-Plas not fruited. *Corne]l University, Bull. 71, p. 278. tCornell University, Bull. 71, p. 284. 496 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. Moorparlcw-Jfhis variety, which bears at some other places in the State, has not fruited here; healthy. MyeWs EarZgA-Small, roundish, light yellow shading t0 red 0n side exposed to sun; skin tough, deep yellow and rather soft, quality fair; medium productive. Bloomed March 3d, ripened May 16th. Nicholus.—Has 11ot fruited. Royal. —-Good size, oblong, light yellow splashed with red; skin toi1gli,.flesli yellow, rather firm and mealy, flavor excellent—the best which has yet fruited. Bloomed March 15th, ripened May 19th. Russian N0. 1.—Bloomed March 10th, but has not fruited. Russian N0. 2.-—-Has borne a few apricots which were of good quality, resembling very much Eureka. Bloomed March 11th, ripened May 17th. i JAPAN PERSIMMON (Diospyros Kaki.) This new Japanese fruit seems well adapted to the South. The fruit ripens in the fall when most other fruits are gone. Its very tough skin and long period of ripening enable it to be shipped almost as well as the orange. Seed of the native wild persimmon germinate readily and af- ford good stock upon which to bud this fruit. ' The varieties were set (luring the winter of 1889. The soil is the same as that upon which the plums and apricots grew. So far no fungus nor insect enem_y has injilrerl the fruit or trees, save a borer which killed a few of our young budded stock. -Daz7cZcu1--\Iediun1 size, conical, lemon color; skin tough, flesh yellow and soft when fully ripe, flavor sweetish, rather insipid; tree low, very productive and hardy. ripened fruit September 25th. Dutch Zllecllavn-Jlas not fruited. ' Ifltc7z273/a.--La1'ge, oblong‘, slightly conical, greenish yellow at base, shading into reddish yellow at HJKJQX; skin tough, flesh soft, flavor excel- lent, sweet; tree prolific and hardy, ripens fruit September 8tl1. Decid- edly the best variety which has yet fruited. .l1£3/0tlcu/rae.—~S1nall, round, color lemon; skin tough, flesh ‘firm, flavor poor; medium hardy and productive, ripened fruit September 30th. lfurok/umep-Has not fruited. Mzsugata.--Plas not fruited. Me/nor-Ilas not fruited. Tcme-Nashi.——Roundish, medium size, dull yellow; skin tough, thick and netted, flesh soft when fully ripe, flavor sweet and melting; tree pro- lific, ripens fruit September 17th. A desirable variety. Yedo-lchir-Has not fruited. Ze1zgz'.--Mediun1 size, round with flat base, orange color; skin thick, flesh soft, yellow, dark granular around seed, flavor sweet, melting; tree hardy and prolific, ripens fruit September 14th. A Credit is due Mr. H. Ness for helping take the field notes.