Division of gricultural Scien UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORN TWO NEW PLUM VARIETIES >J€t/w c o IS) u o o O c o "o a. c 0) Q. O Varieties used as pollen source Fig. 1. Pollination chart for Burmosa. [5] 5 ° < Q 1' 2 s « c 5 5 O 3 S; ° o o X CO u S • "S -■? E o a E o u o O ©"P « t_ 3 ,P >»£ ftO «« 3 o a bo bo 3 " ™ S °'S .a •2&2 © 73 "75 i3 ®t5 ©.2? i3 p p .a > O "P~ © © bib | © e i a a .2^ P.. © P ** J2 *>*£. bp'C © »a bo o .S g •£ p > p.s p 2 Is ©■P o •P >» S p. P o bo§ © P. » 2 S "5 © *43 w n) o .2 ** £ p p 2 rt 5 P « ® ® ^ "P !3 w Sfc fi p bo "2 a.2 «> s k .J2 S £"ag>go bo O .5 ~ g "3 ^ p.p p p. 03 Is o P bo to 2g o'-g P p S3 if .5. b m .2 P p -t-j M M .— p pp « bog O >+»** I-i bo^ O P gfa .a v ^ »- p a p o p ©•p -S P If. d h h P S P 4 * § * S « d-g P © © © g «"P ** o »-■ © — © ii* »> ■ 'p — i .2 »" i tJ 43 © .P bo © -^ ■»- P " *P © wu ■8 •a © © eenish whi y, mealy 11 pinkish n 03 © bo P ft ft i- t- t- ^ o OQfa 03 ft •43 +» «J ■p r ^ » £ © ^ ■p m s a CO © u 5*ft.2 •p J3 CO M C © bo .2 p •a°.a © © o Gree Firm Full, 9 03 ii I '3 rt o ° h .E © ©fc P P e8 o o "C 03 03 2 m p »5 ^ ■^ 4? «H o +* O -H Sll s^^ | a P 2 m e« g ©.Sg-O -i-sl •h m o> p 0) O.0J > ftrt >. At proper maturity for shipping, Bur- mosa shows less color than Beauty but develops a full pink color after transport and in the retail market, somewhat like the coloring of Becky Smith. Shipping maturity of plums is often rather difficult to determine accurately from observations of the developmental stages of the fruit on the tree. This has been especially true of Burmosa which, as stated above, develops in a manner different from either Beauty or Santa Rosa. For this reason simulated shipping tests were made. The fruit was harvested at various stages of maturity, held for a time approximating normal transit pe- TABLE 2. Phenological Data for BURMOSA and REDHEART Plums in Comparison with Beauty, Santa Rosa, and Duarte (Standard Varieties), Arranged in Order of Increasing Number of Days from Full Bloom to Maturity. All Data from Wolf- skill Experimental Orchards, near Winters, California. Character and year Beauty BURMOSA Santa Rosa REDHEART Duarte Date of full bloom 1946 1947. 1948 1949 1950 1951 Av., 1946-1950 Mar. Mar. Mar. Mar. Mar. Mar. Mar. 10 2 4 21 3 15 9 Mar. Mar. Feb. Mar. Mar. Mar. Mar. 1 1 26 17 1 12 5 Mar. 7 Mar. 1 Feb. 25 Mar. 18 Mar. 2 Mar. 14 Mar. 6 Mar. 8 Mar. 5 Feb. 28 Mar. 21 Mar. 5 Mar. 15 Mar. 9 Mar. 9 Mar. 7 Mar. 1 Mar. 21 Mar. 3 Mar. 16 Mar. 10 Date of first leaf 1946 Mar. Feb. Feb. Mar. Mar. Mar. Mar. 13 27 27 23 6 18 10 Mar. Feb. Feb. Mar. Mar. Mar. Mar. 3 24 26 19 8 18 7 Mar. 4 Mar. 3 Feb. 26 Mar. 21 Mar. 7 Mar. 15 Mar. 8 Mar. 10 Mar. 8 Mar. 3 Mar. 22 Mar. 14 Mar. 19 Mar. 13 Mar. 15 1947 Mar. 4 1948 Feb. 27 1949 Mar. 19 1950 Mar. 5 1951 Mar. 19 Av., 1946-1950 Mar. 10 Date of tree ripe fruit 1946 June June June June June June June 13 7 17 16 14 7 12 June 24 June 12 June 27 July 2 July 1 June 23 June 25 July 18 June 30 July 15 July 7 July 3 July 6 July 8 Aug. 10 1947 June June June June June June 2 19 14 7 7 10 July 25 1948 Aug. 4 1949 July 25 1950 July 19 1951 July 18 Av., 1946-1950 July 27 Days from full bloom to tree ripe 1946 95 97 105 87 100 84 95 93 114 89 98 87 96 109 103 123 106 121 101 110 132 117 138 108 120 113 121 154 1947 140 1948 1949 156 126 1950 138 1951 124 Av., 1946-1950 140 [7] TABLE 3. Fruit of Burmosa and Beauty Plums Compared when Harvested Characteristic and harvest date Pressure test reading (lbs.) May 26 May 29 June 1 June 5 Soluble solids (%) May 26 May 29 June 1 June 5 . . . Skin color f May 26 May 29 June 1 June 5 Flesh color May 26 May 29 June 1 June 5 Condition May 26 ■■■• May 29 Junel June 5 Condition at harvest Beauty 22.9 20.4 18.0 13.2 10.7 13.4 13.4 1-1 1- VA-2 2 2-3^ whitish-green greenish-white to yellowish-white greenish-yellow greenish-amber Burmosa 24.5 19.2 11.0 7.4 14.0 1-1 1-1^ 1^-2 2-3 greenish-white greenish-white to white whitish-amber greenish-amber Condition after 10 days June 12 Beauty 3.0 11.0 mostly full red, a few 50-75% light red good good Burmosa 5.5 12.6 3-4, mostly a fun pinkish red creamy amber good good * Flesh mealy; juice sample could not be obtained. t Ground color as measured by an Allen color chart. riod, and the ripening changes were ob- served after that period. Table 3 (above) shows the results of these tests. For this purpose, the fruit was harvested on May 26, May 29, and June 1 and 5, 1950, at Winters, Califor- nia. It was then held for a period of ap- proximately 10 days at 42° F at Davis. It was then removed from storage and allowed to ripen at room temperature. [8] on Different Dates and Given a Simulated Transit and Ripening Period at 42° F„, followed by a ripening period at room temperature to dates shown June 17 June 21 t Beauty Burmosa Beauty Burmosa 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 10.1 12.2 15.6 12.2 16.0 *fullred bright, light red dull, dark red bright, light red 1 dull red bright, light red dull, dark red bright, light red deep red nearly full light red, good dull, dark red bright, light red bright, med. red yellowish-amber, It. red 20-50% dull, dark red bright, light red red amber dark red creamy amber r red yellow-amber dark red creamy amber red yellow-amber dark red creamy amber amber-red light yellow-amber dark red creamy amber r fair, slightly shriveled, good poor, overripe poor, harvested too jj soft green good good poor, overripe good, approaching end, slight shriveling 1 good not fully ripe poor, overripe good, still fully accept- able jj^ood not fully ripe poor, overripe good, prime * Notes were taken on the changes in con- dition of the fruit on June 12, 17, and 21. Beauty apparently reached optimum shipping maturity May 30-June 1, as in- dicated by the holding tests. All samples were in excellent condition on June 17, except for the earliest harvest sample of May 26, which was removed from storage on June 5, and which was beginning to shrivel. It was in only fair condition by [91 June 17. All samples of Beauty were overripe by June 21. Burmosa, on the other hand, was in excellent condition on June 17 — regard- less of time of harvest — although the sample taken on May 26 did not have as good quality, and was considered to have been harvested too green. By June 21, in contrast to the Beauty samples, all except the May 26 harvest sample of Burmosa were still in edible condition. The sample taken on May 29 showed slight shrivel- ling, and was approaching the end of its market life. The sample taken on June 1 was still in good condition, and quite ac- ceptable as market fruit. The sample of June 5 was still in prime condition on June 21. From these tests it appears that Bur- mosa reached shipping maturity about the same time as Beauty, or a day or so earlier. The sample of Burmosa harvested on May 29 can be considered to have been picked as early as would give a satis- factory market product. In contrast to Beauty, which ripens rapidly, Burmosa held well on and off the tree. Samples taken a week later, on June 5, also stood up well in the tests. All samples were taken at random, rather than having been picked according to any maturity stand- ard. From these studies the following rec- ommendations regarding the shipping harvest of Burmosa can be made: Burmosa should be harvested without waiting for the development of tip straw color, as this change is not characteristic of the particular variety at shipping ma- turity. While one year's results are not con- clusive, the pressure test with a 7/16-inch plunger was approximately 19 pounds, and the soluble solids approximately 14 per cent at shipping maturity. A rather consistent measure of matur- ity, observed in this and other years, is Varieties used as pollen source Fig. 2. Pollination chart for Redheart. [10] the flesh texture development of Bur- mosa. From the hard, crisp texture char- acteristic of green fruit, the flesh becomes somewhat mealy and rather dry at the approximate shipping harvest maturity. (At this stage a juice sample could not be obtained for determining soluble solids.) As it ripens the flesh becomes very fine- grained and moderately juicy, but the dry stage appears to be closely correlated with satisfactory harvest maturity. Burmosa's place in the plum industry Burmosa appears to be a possible sub- stitute for Beauty. Its advantages over that variety are : approximately the same season of maturity, larger size, longer storage and holding life, and firmer tex- ture. Characteristics of contrasting but not necessarily superior nature are these: when harvested for shipping, Burmosa develops during transit and on the mar- ket, an external color somewhat like that of Becky Smith — a bright pinkish-red; the flavor of Burmosa is similar to that of Formosa, but perhaps milder, with not quite so pronounced an aroma; the flesh color is quite similar to that of Formosa. As observed to date and noted earlier, the noticeable faults of Burmosa appear to be a tendency to set rather light crops, and, in some seasons, to show skin bruises. The latter characteristic was not noted until the 1950 season, when the variety matured during extremely hot weather; the development of the external color after a storage and ripening period obscured these superficial marks. H Redheart was selected from a group of seedlings grown from the cross Duarte x Wickson, using Wickson as the pollen parent. The cross was made in 1940. It, too, has been tested in Placer, Solano, and Tulare counties, under the number 10-29. A small commercial test in Placer County has given valuable information on the shipping characteristics of this va- riety under actual commercial conditions. Characteristics of the tree Because Redheart is so similar to Duarte in nearly all respects, it is easily characterized by comparison with that variety (see table 1, page 6). Table 2 (page 7) shows the blooming and ripening data for Redheart, and here again it is apparent that this new variety is similar to Duarte except in time of maturity. For example, Redheart blooms at the same time as Duarte, but leafs out just a few days later. This behavior may indicate a rather high chilling require- ment, and possibly that Redheart should not be grown in southern California or other plum districts with mild winters. Redheart matures between Santa Rosa and Duarte, usually about 20 days before Duarte at Winters, but as shown in table 2, there is some variability in this respect. Redheart is self-unfruitful and requires provision for cross-pollination. Known pollination requirements of Redheart are summarized in figure 2 on page 10. Comparing this chart with figure 1, on page 5, it will be noticed that Redheart set very heavily. For this variety, then, values below 4.0 per cent should be considered to be the result of cross-incompatible combina- tions and are to be avoided in planting pollinizers for Redheart. Duarte and El- dorado are the two such varieties thus far determined. As Redheart resulted from a cross be- tween Duarte x Wickson, the fact that it is cross-sterile with Duarte indicates that it should be cross-fertile with Wickson — and such has proved to be the case. As can be seen from figure 2, many other [ii Japanese plum varieties will give good sets on Redheart. Of particular interest to plum growers is the fact that Redheart will set fruit on the Elephant Heart variety (14.8 per cent on Elephant Heart in tests of 1950), as well as produce an excellent crop when pollinated by Elephant Heart. It has also been determined that Red- heart will give adequate sets on Sharkey and Santa Rosa when it is used as a pol- len source — Sharkey pollinated by Red- heart set 38.8 per cent in tests of 1950, and Santa Rosa set 3.8 per cent in 1949. Redheart has shown no obvious weak- nesses thus far, but it should be pointed out that all trees involved were young and such weaknesses as may develop with age have not had a chance to become apparent. Characteristics of the fruit As stated, Redheart is very similar to Duarte. This comparison of fruit charac- teristics is shown in table 1. In one small experimental shipping test Redheart showed no tip-cracking after the transit period — a fault some- times evident with the Duarte variety. Redheart has sized satisfactorily. In a small commercial shipment made in 1950, the size distribution in 98 four- basket crates was as follows: 4x4 — 19 crates; 3x4x5 — 24 crates; 4x5 — 54 crates; and 5x5 — 1 crate. In the 1950 season the sizes in the locality where these plums were grown were slightly smaller than usual, as shown by commer- cial packing house records for other vari- eties. Therefore, at the least, the 3x4x5 sizes could be expected to be 4 x 4 size in most years. In relation to shipping maturity, Red- heart goes through the same develop- mental stages as Duarte, and apparently can be harvested for shipping on the same basis as that variety (see table 3). The appropriate time for harvest seems to be as the flesh changes color, becoming red, and as the dullish blush color de- velops. Redheart's place in the plum industry Because of its season, Redheart ap- pears to be more a plum for the foothill and Sacramento Valley fruit districts, where it will afford a good plum of the Duarte type — ripening a little later than Santa Rosa — and coming on the market with, or slightly before, the early ship- ment of Duarte from the San Joaquin Valley. In the latter area, the season be- tween Santa Rosa and Duarte is short- ened so that the harvest of Duarte usually overlaps that of Santa Rosa slightly, or at least follows immediately. Conse- quently there appears to be less demand for a variety maturing in the season of Redheart. In a small commercial shipment made in 1950, with the fruit harvested about 5 days later than necessary, Redheart brought returns comparable to the best brought by the early Duarte shipments reaching the market at the same time. The results of the pollination tests with Elephant Heart are again emphasized, as Elephant Heart has much to recommend it if it can be made to set commercial crops. The sets reported were obtained under experimental conditions. The apparent superior characteristics and weaknesses of Burmosa and Red- heart have been pointed out. It should be remembered, however, that the limited tests on which these observations are based do not assure commercial success of the varieties. Their introduction at this time is for test purposes. Please note: Neither the University of California nor the Agricultural Experi- ment Station have trees of Burmosa and Redheart available. They can be ob- tained, however, from many tree fruit nurserymen. [12] HORTICULTURAL DESCRIPTION BURMOSA TREE: Upright-spreading to spreading; produc- tion fair to good, vigorous. Old bark color grayish-brown; scales tough, platelike, longi- tudinally oriented, with thin, dry, recurved edges; lenticels of medium size and number, transversely elongated, raised, rough, with lips grayish-brown or light brown, becoming grayish and relatively inconspicuous. Current sea- son's growth green, becoming greenish-brown to reddish-brown with age and exposure; len- ticels numerous on young growth, obscure, whitish, remaining numerous with age, but larger, of light brown color, not raised, or only slightly so, eventually becoming larger, grayish, and quite noticeable on older growth. On two- year wood lenticels are light brown, conspicu- ous, smallish, not raised or only slightly so; on the three-year wood conspicuous and grayish and then becoming as on old bark. Vernation conduplicate. Foliage abundant. Shoot leaves medium large size, approximately 9 cm long by 4.5 cm broad, thicker than spur leaves; shape oval to broad oval, occasionally slightly ovate, color yellowish-green to dark green, slightly lighter beneath. Blade slightly cupped, recurved, base rounded-acute, apex acuminate, acute, short, nearly flat or slightly wavy toward the apex; glabrous. Margin dull crenate, slightly irregular, each crenation tipped with a small, inconspicuous gland of grayish to reddish color, nearly straight, or slightly wavy toward the tip. Petiole short, stout, approxi- mately 8 mm long; color greenish to red on the exposed surfaces, the upper side broadly and shallowly channeled. Glands 5 to 8 in number, or rarely 10, globose to oval, stalked, large and vigorous, borne on the apical portion of the petiole. Midrib lightly channeled on the upper surface, protruding below; color greenish to pink or reddish where exposed, especially on the upper surface on less vigorous trees. Spur leaves large, approximately 10 cm long by 4.5 cm broad, moderately thick, more or less obo- vate. Blade nearly flat, tip often twisted 90°, slightly recurved; yellowish-green to dark green; glabrous. Midrib and margin as for shoot leaves. Petioles medium thick, medium length, approximately 1.5 cm long; glabrous; color as for shoot leaf petiole. Glands same as on shoot leaves, except usually only 3 to 5 in number. Leaf buds medium to large for the species; shape obtuse-ovate, to ovate on spurs, plump, free or nearly so; color dark brown on the shoots to medium brown on the spurs, about the same as the bark color, glabrous. Flower buds small, plump-ovate, color medium to light brown; glabrous. In general, the branch- lets, shoots, and young growth are short, stout, vigorous; spurs short to medium length and stoutness, becoming branched. FLOWERS: Usually 3 per bud, range 1-3, borne laterally on one-year wood, or on long- lived spurs. Pedicel length 1.2 to 2.0 cm, aver- age 1.5 cm, color light yellowish green; gla- brous. Calyx nearly funnel-form, often grossly irregular below the lobes, 4 to 5 mm high by approximately 7 mm across at the lobes; the surface slightly roughened or pebbled; gla- brous. External color light yellowish-green, in- ternal color dull yellowish-green, more yellow than outside color. Sepals 5 in number; medium size, approximately 4 mm long by 2.5 to 3 mm broad at the base, shape ovate, slightly cupped, apex obtuse, margin toothed. Color yellowish green on the dorsal surface, same as the calyx; sometimes rose-tinged, with a nar- row margin and teeth rose colored. Ventral sur- face colored the same as the dorsal; dorsal and ventral surfaces glabrous; upright, not at all or only slightly reflexed at full bloom. Petal size medium, 9 to 11 mm long by 8 to 9 mm broad, shape usually slightly ovatish to round, or rarely slightly obovate, usually somewhat cupped, with a short, inconspicuous basal claw; margin entire, sinuous; color white; the petals usually reflexed 45° or less at full bloom. Stamen exsertion usually slightly less than the petals, maximum length about 9 mm, with a short and a long whorl, usually 30 or 31 in number; anther size medium, color yellow. Pistil exsertion equal to or slightly longer than the stamens, 10 to 11 mm long; ovary and style glabrous. Flowers 21 to 25 mm across at full bloom. Fruit: Matures about June 10 at Winters, California; for shipping approximately 7 to 10 days earlier. Size medium-large to large, approximately 5.0 cm long by 5.1 cm cheek diameter by 5.1 cm suture diameter; average weight approximately 6.2 fruits per pound at maturity. Shape somewhat irregu- larly round-oval to oblatish-round; slightly asymmetrical, with the fruit apex slightly dorsal to the fruit axis; halves equal or very nearly so. Apex rounded to flat-rounded in general aspect; true apex (stylar scar) slightly de- pressed and somewhat dorsal to the fruit axis, with a definite bulge dorsally and a lesser bulge ventrally in some specimens. This gives a broad, nearly flat appearance to the apical portion of the fruit. Stylar scar a small brownish dot, usually obscure. Base, in cheek aspect, rather large, gently rounded to flat-rounded, at right angles to the fruit axis, or sloped slightly [13] dorsally. Cavity oval to round in outline, acuminate-conic, rather deep; shoulders wide, gently rounded, regular, or very broadly and obscurely ridged, somewhat depressed at the suture, and often slightly so opposite suture. Suture very shallow or an obscure line, oc- casionally marked by darker color; a rather broad groove at the shoulder, and sometimes lightly creased inside the cavity. Suture lips lacking, or very low, broad and evenly rounded, one lip occasionally slightly larger, especially at the apex. Stem short, rather stout; 8 to 12 mm long; color light green to yellowish-green, becoming more or less corked and brown; swollen basally, with or free from fruit; gla- brous; pad small, of medium thickness, brown- margined. Skin ground color greenish yellow to light amber-yellow when full ripe, bright; over color or blush medium red, the color de- veloping with maturity, and becoming full red when completely ripe. Bloom light grey, moderately heavy, making the colored portion of the fruit an attractive pink to light lavender color. Dots numerous, rather evenly distributed, except lacking at the base and in the cavity; obscure, brownish to reddish, aeolar to non- aeolar; a few to many becoming corky, light brown, small, roundish, the number varying with exposure, never prominent. Flesh color light or whitish to greenish-cream to light whitish-amber at full ripeness; stone cavity surface slightly darker. Flavor moderately sweet, mild; a distinctive but not strong aroma; good, only slightly acid at the skin. Flesh tex- ture firm-melting, slightly dryish and soft granular just at maturity, becoming melting, juicy, and very fine-textured when full ripe. Flesh adheres to the stone only along the ven- tral suture — nearly completely freestone. STONE: Size small, 2.0 cm long by 0.76 cm cheek diameter by 1.6 cm suture diameter. Shape oval to broad oval or ovate, very com- pressed; base broad, usually concave and usually at right angles to the stone axis, large; apex rounded, becoming acuminate, and end- ing in a sharp tip of medium length; stone more or less irregular and somewhat variable in outline. Surface lightly rugose or rough- ened, with a few rather shallow, longitudinal grooves toward the base, often roughly thick- ened just below the apical tip. Dorsal suture more or less raised or ridged, sometimes closed for its entile length except for a small hole at the base, or grooved basally and/or apically, often with one or two pits in the median por- tion, to narrowly grooved from the base to the apex; dorsal ridge more or less eroded. Ven- tral suture a sharp narrow flange, sometimes very narrowly grooved from the base to the apex, becoming lower toward the apex; more or less eroded. Lateral grooves rather wide and deep, with the margins somewhat raised, often closed basally; the sides of the grooves more or less irregular, eroded. The space be- tween the grooves and the ventral flange con- cave, narrow. Color light brown. REDHEART TREE: Upright to upright-spreading; produc- tion excellent, very vigorous. Old bark color grayish-brown to dark-gray, with striated bark showing light brown beneath; the striations irregular, longish, longitudinal; scales thin, tough, small platelike, with recurved edges; lenticels numerous, very elongated transversely, color light brown to tan, only slightly raised and corky, often being oriented in irregular rows along the axis of the branch. Current season's growth green, becoming olive green to brownish-green or light brown toward the base of vigorous shoots; lenticels numerous, many becoming raised, grayish to brownish colored; corky; erupting and splitting the sur- face layers in elongated, longitudinal, irregular cracks toward the base of vigorous shoots. One- year-old wood brown, becoming like the mature bark, the lenticels becoming elongated trans- versely. Vernation conduplicate. Foliage very abundant. Shoot leaves large, approxi- mately 13.3 cm long by 5.8 cm broad; shape oval to slightly obovate; color dark green, with the lower surface slightly lighter. Blade nearly flat, with the tip straight to twisted, base rounded, apex acuminate, glabrous. Margin slightly wavy, singly to doubly crenate, with each crenation tipped with a small, brownish gland. Petioles stout, approximately 2 cm long; color light green to yellowish green; moderately grooved on upper side, glabrous. Glands globose to oval, more or less stalked; large, strong, 3 to 6 in number, borne on the apical portion of the petiole. Spur leaves medium size, approximately 10.8 cm long by 4.5 cm; broad, obovate. Blade slightly cupped, slightly recurved, the tip often slightly twisted, base acute to acuminate, apex acuminate, gla- brous. Margin slightly wavy, otherwise like the shoot leaf margins. Petioles like the shoot leaf petioles, but slightly less stout, glabrous. Glands as on shoot leaves, except only medium size, and 2 to 3 in number. Leaf buds small, shape ovate to nearly round, plump, free ; color brown to light brown, glabrous. Flower buds num- erous on the spurs and usually 2 per node on current season's shoot growth; ovate, plump; brown to reddish brown, glabrous. Shoots stout and vigorous in aspect; spurs short, with many fruit buds. FLOWERS: Usually 2 per bud, rarely solitary on one-year-old wood and on long-lived spurs; [14] inflorescence with 2 to several leafy ovate to elliptical bracts, with crenate, glanded margins; size variable, quite small to 1.2 cm. Pedicel medium long, stout, 9 to 11 mm long; green to slightly yellowish green, glabrous. Calyx cup-shaped to broad funnel-form, grossly ir- regular in cross-section to nearly round; the surface very slightly rugose or roughened, with veins slightly raised. Color green on outside, inner surface dull, yellowish; both glabrous. Sepal size medium, about 4 mm long by 2.5 to 3 mm broad at the base; shape ovate, slightly cupped, apex obtuse to nearly rounded; margin fleshy-toothed, with teeth gland tipped; gla- brous on both surfaces. Dorsal color green to slightly yellowish, with a very narrow margin, which is somewhat broader at the base; the teeth white, pale. Ventral color the same as the outer, except base of the sepals white; sepals reflexed about 45° or more, but not reaching 90°. Petal size medium or slightly larger, 11 to 13 mm long by 7.5 to 8.5 mm broad, shape oval to slightly ovate, tapering to a claw at the base, slightly cupped or often flat ; margin entire, slightly wavy; color white; re- flexed to 90° at full bloom. Stamen exser- tion nearly equal to petals, length to 10 mm, number 31 to 35; anther size average or slightly larger; color deep yellow. Pistil exsertion slightly shorter than the stamens, 7.5 to 9 mm long; green, glabrous. Flowers 26 to 28 mm across at full bloom. FRUIT: Matures about July 19 at Winters, Cali- fornia, about 20 days before Duarte. Size medium or larger, about 5.4 cm long by 5.4 cm cheek diameter by 5.3 cm suture diameter. Pedicel medium in length, medium stout in di- ameter; color greenish or brownish, usually free from the fruit at maturity; glabrous. Shape round-ovate to nearly cordate, smooth, even, regular. Base flat-rounded to nearly flat, straight. Apex rounded or occasionally nearly blunt-pointed; smooth. Stylar scar an obscure brownish dot, often with a very slight, hardly noticeable ventral and dorsal bulge. Cavity round-oval to nearly round, size medium, moderately deep, flaring-conic; shoulders very evenly and smoothly rounded to the cavity; smooth, slightly lower at the suture, quite regular. Suture a very shallow, broad groove, or sometimes only a line below the middle (toward the base), lightly creased deep in the cavity, or not at all, generally a broad, even groove through the shoulder, becoming shal- lower to a line toward the apex. Suture lips very broad and low, rounded, not at all pro- truding, the suture side slightly flattened. Skin color dull amber green, completely covered by the overcolor which is a dull medium to darkish red, sometimes slightly purplish. Pubescence lacking. Bloom moderately heavy, grey. Dots rather small, but conspicuous, numerous, evenly distributed over the surface except at the base and along the suture; grayish, often with a narrow, dull greenish halo. Skin color is overlaid with a superficial dull silvery green- ish mottling, closely resembling the typical Duarte plum appearance. Flesh color a bright, even red (over an amberish ground color) , be- coming somewhat darker at full maturity; typi- cal blood plum; stone cavity surface color duller. Flavor sweet, mild, with a pronounced aroma similar to Duarte; skin only very slightly acid. Flesh texture firm-melting, nearly crisp, meaty, fine grained, excellent. Skin moderately tough, crisp. STONE: Size medium, approximately 2.6 cm long by 0.78 cm cheek diameter by 1.6 cm suture diamter. Shape long oval, compressed; base medium to small, slightly necked; stem scar more or less concave, slightly oblique to- ward the dorsal suture, or occasionally straight; apex acuminate, ending in a short, sharp tip. Surface rather rugose or sharply roughened, with a few obscure longitudinal grooves or striations toward the base, often with a rather obscure thickened ridge from the median cheek portion of the base to the cheek of the stone (sometimes doubled). Dorsal suture is only slightly raised or ridged, re- curved at the basal neck, and quite often rather sharply so just at the apex; grooved from base to apex, the groove rather narrow and of medium depth; the sides of the groove eroded. Ventral suture raised or ridged; broad, usu- ally with a rather wide and deep groove from the median portion to the apex, the sides of which may be slightly eroded, roughened basally. Lateral grooves close, rather nar- row, of medium depth basally, becoming shal- lower apically, rather uniform. No space be- tween the lateral grooves and the ventral flange, but the sides of the latter roughened. Ventral flange often higher at the base. Color light brown. 71m-9,'52(A661)W.P. [15] research reports for farmers v>iurrent, brief, easy-to-read progress re- ports of agricultural research projects carried on by the University of California College of Agriculture are published each month in convenient magazine form. The magazine-CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURE- will be mailed to you without charge. To receive this magazine every month— with its re- search reports for farmers and announcements of other publications dealing with farm subjects— simply send your name and address to: AGRICULTURE Office of Agricultural Publications 22 Giannini Hall University of California, Berkeley 4