The Boton ripens the latter part of August, and the Kelsey the latter part of September, the fruit of both being of larger size as large as an ordinary size peach-and of most delicious flavor, much superior to our native plums. For canning purposes they are simply superb. I find, however, one serious drawback, the tendency to early blooming; they bloom much earlier than the peach, and in consequence there is always dauger of losing the crop. They are very rapid, vigorous growers and appear to be entirely free from the diseases that affect our native plums. I am inclined to the opinion that they are curculis proof, but prefer not to speak positively until I have made further investigation. The prunes (Simoeii), prunes (Pesordii), Russian apricots and English walnuts have not borne fruit. They were quite small trees at the time of planting. The prunes (Pesordii) is a beautiful and ornamental; in fact more ornamental than useful. The Japanese persimmon we cannot grow, our climate being too severe. I succeeded in growing a few figs the past season. I feel satisfied that we can grow this fruit profitably by bending the branches of the tree to the ground and covering with earth in the early fall and uncovering in late spring. In this connection I will mention the benefit I derived in growing plums this season by spraying my trees and destroying the curculii with the Bordeaux Mixture. I have fruit trees of considerable size of or native plum. Just as the bloom. was falling I gave them a thorough spraying, and the result was a crop of perfect fruit. So far I know I am the only one in this section that raised any plums; others did not use the spray. Respectfully submitted, W. W. BROWN. FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE WEST VIRGINIA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30TH, 1892. JOHN A. MYERS, DIRECTOR FAIRMONT; INDEX STEAM PRINTING HOUSE. MORGANTOWN, W. VA., Dec. 30, 1892. TO HIS EXCELLENCY, WM. A. MACCORKLE, GOVERNOR OF WEST VIRGINIA : I have the honor to transmit to you herewith, in accordance with the law, the Fifth Annual Report of the West Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station. Respectfully, JOHN A. ROBINSON, President of the Board of Regents of the |