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THE ROCKFORD PLUM.
have grown thriftly. but have thus far perfected no fruit.
The fruit is very much injured by curculio, but the trees have
been free from the disease known as 'plum pockets.'  The
soil is level black prairie, heavily manured and cultivated. I
know nothing of the quality of the fruit, but think the tree
too unproductive. and the plunis too susceptible to injury from
curculio and plum gouger to be profitable for market."
Clarence Wedge of Albert Lea, Minn., writes: /July a,
1iS;6 -The Rockford luas proved with me a very prolitic
bearer of firm. ileaty fruit, rather tinder the usual size of De
Soto; very free from 'pockets;' not inclined to rot, but during
each of the three vears I have fruited it has been very much
injured 4Ind disfigured by something like the scab, so much so
that I have thought it less valuable than some other kinds.
In quality it is very free from the usual defects of the AnIeri-
caui, but to mny taste lacks sprightliness and character. Its
reiniarkable bearing. firmltness, and freedom from astringency
(of sklin are its strong points."
TI---,f T IF 1D.,AA -sf tl Tex--]%--1i Cidihlltuta -'ll,e wifies:
X Vor(l. d. _Ui. -L-UUU, "Intc 1->. ,8*u~------..................................e,,..
{.June 24, 1S96I( "The Rockford plum was picked up on the
Cedar River yv C'. G. Patten of Charles City, Iowa. It is sup-
pos(e to be a native variety but gives some evidence of acci-
dental crossing with the European species. Dsuring the two
Toast years it has borne no perfect fruit at Ames. It does not
stand drouth well."
Ilr-of. S. 1B. Green, of the Minnesota Experiment Station,
writes: (.JuIv 14. 189;() "We have fruited the Rockford plum
in a sinall .vay and think it a very good varietv for table use
tlthough smlall in size. We had it on our open clay soil under-
laid with gravel. I have seen it fruiting at several places in
this state. It is hardy. a good bearer and a good grower."
R. J. Coe of Ft. Atkinson. Wis., writes:  (July 4. 189G)
"The Rockford plum with us promises to be very valuable. It
is a little earlier than anv other varietv we have vet fruited.
and while it is not very large it is wonderfully productive. so
miuclh so, that I have had to stake and tie up the trees this
season to prevent breaking. It is of extra quality.  Has
never shown anv sign of disease of any kind."
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