JAPANESE PLUMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9714, 9 January 1895, Page 6

JAPANESE PLUMS.

TO THE KDITOB. Stk, —Your Wfaangarai correspondent in his fruit prospect notes states that Japanese plums are not a success except where they are grown in light soil. Such a statement (were the contrary not known to be the case), is most misleading, and would certainly be damaging to this new race of plums, which already bids fair to supersede the majority of the European varieties that are now grown. As a practical proof of their adaptability to stiff lands, I need only draw your attention to the numbers of flourishing trees crowing in Parnell, Remuera, Ponsonby, and other districts planted in the stiffest of clay soils, that are to be seen almost breaking down with the weight of fruit that is upon them. Growers will, no doubt, come forward and confirm these statements. Everyone speaks in the highest praise of the Japanese varieties of plums.* If the Whangarei district is not adapted for them, as one would infer, from the article above referred to, I am sorry for the orchardists there, as they w ill be out of it in plum culture. Mr. Hanlon states that the Botan is no good, the tree being a dwarf, stunted grower, and no cropper. He cannot have much knowledge of the varieties, as there are several Botans. The red Botan is practically worthless, being a poor grower and cropper. The sweet Botan is also of little value, but that known as the yellow-fleshed Botan, or Abundance, as it is often called, is a vigorous grower and a good cropper, particularly when worked upon the peach stock. The Burkank, which also belongs to the Botan family, is the greatest cropper of any plum in cultivation, and suitable for all soils. For light soils work the trees upon the peach, and for heavy on the plum stock. lb bears equally well on either stock. As to the fruiting and growing capabilities of the European varieties of plums compared with most of the Japanese, there is no comparison. The Orientals are thrifty and vigorous growers, and come into bearing when only two or three years old ; whereas the others, with the exception of two or three damsons, take years before coming into bearing, and then only produce irregular aud sometimes scanty crops as too many can testify to. Silver blight has of late years made its appearance, destroying Luge number of valuable plum "trees. This and other fungoid diseases that attack the foliage of the ordinary varieties, make the advent of the Japanese family all the more valuable and acceptable. Depend upon it, Japanese plums have come to stay, and all that can be said and written against them will have no ultimate effect. If those who have grown and fruited them will come forward with their experience much practical and valuable aid will be given to intending planters. I would nob have trespassed upon your valuable space, but could not allow such erroneous assertions to pass unchallenged. Hoping this will elicit further correspondence upon so important a matter, I am, etc., D. A. Hay. Montpellier Nursery, Kemuera.