Cultivar 465: State Fair No 24

State Fair No. 24 was an Americana plum seedling selection recorded by the South Dakota Experiment Station. It came from pits taken from prize plates of leading Americana varieties at the Iowa State Fair in 1895 and planted at the station in 1896. The bulletin does not give it a named parentage. It presents No. 24 as one of the numbered State Fair seedlings selected from that lot. It also treats it as one of the strongest seedlings in the group and says it should be propagated heavily. [S1]

The fruit ripened on September 8 in 1903 and September 10 in 1904, which places it in early September in South Dakota. Descriptions call it large to very large, smooth, and almost round, with yellowish red skin resembling Terry in color and size. Quality was rated good. The crop was heavy in both years noted, and the fruit was considered a good keeper. A later note in the same bulletin grouped No. 24 with other State Fair seedlings recommended for wider trial because the fruit kept well after picking. [S1]

The tree was described briefly as low and strong. Along with the repeated heavy crops, this suggests a compact, productive tree in station testing. The bulletin does not give fuller discussion of disease, bearing habit, or long term orchard management. [S1]

Its importance is historical as much as pomological. State Fair No. 24 belongs to an early prairie selection stream that aimed to get better fruit from hardy Americana material rather than from tender European plums. The bulletin also shows it on Plate No. 8, photographed on September 9, 1902, which shows that it was considered worth illustrating among the State Fair seedlings. [S1]

It remains uncertain whether State Fair No. 24 was ever formally introduced beyond recommendation and trial. The source supports its value as a promising experiment station seedling, but does not document a later naming or commercial release. [S1]

Summary source basis

• S1: Plums in South Dakota

This summary currently draws chiefly from Plums in South Dakota.

Featured source descriptions

“In 1903 fruit ripe September 8.”
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“In 1904 ripe September 10.”
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“Quality good.”
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“Aheavy crop.”
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Source-story quotations

• State Fair No. 24.-In 1903 fruit ripe September 8; a heavy crop; fruit large and smooth. In 1904 ripe September 10; very large, almost round fruit; color yellowish red, resembling the Terry in color and size; crop heavy; quality good; tree low, strong; fruit a good keeper. One of the best varieties and should be propagPlums in South Dakota, p39
• State Fair No. 24.-In 1903 fruit ripe September 8; a heavy crop; fruit large and smooth. In 1904 ripe September 10; very large, almost round fruit; color yellowish red, resembling the Terry in color and size; crop heavy; quality good; tree low, strong; fruit a good keeper. One of the best varieties and should be propagPlums in South Dakota, p39
• State Fair No. 24.-In 1903 fruit ripe September 8; a heavy crop; fruit large and smooth. In 1904 ripe September 10; very large, almost round fruit; color yellowish red, resembling the Terry in color and size; crop heavy; quality good; tree low, strong; fruit a good keeper. One of the best varieties and should be propagPlums in South Dakota, p39
• State Fair No. 24.-In 1903 fruit ripe September 8; a heavy crop; fruit large and smooth. In 1904 ripe September 10; very large, almost round fruit; color yellowish red, resembling the Terry in color and size; crop heavy; quality good; tree low, strong; fruit a good keeper. One of the best varieties and should be propagPlums in South Dakota, p39

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Related cultivars mentioned in source context