REPORT OF MR. W. ^. BLAIR. 319 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



PLUMS. 



Sixty-S'-ven varieties of plums are no.v under test. These have made exceptionally- 

 good growth the past year, and some of the varieties fruited well this season. 



It has been very difficult during the past five years to keep the trees completely 

 free from the plum aphis. These insects commence operations about the 

 middle of July and continue until September. The difficulty in treating this 

 pest is to kill them all, which seems almost impossible, as they suck the juices of the 

 plant from the under side of the leaf, which soon causes the leaf to cui*l, thus protect- 

 ing the insects from a spray. Tobacco water and whale-oil soap are used for spraying. 

 Ten pounds of the tobacco to a cask of water, soaked twenty-four hours, and two 

 pounds of whale-oil soap added is a very effective mixture. The trees must be con- 

 stantly watched and repeated sprayings given to keep this insect in check. 



This season the plum aphis was not nearly so bad as formerly, and it is hoped that 

 these insects will soon disappear, as even with careful attention, the trees suffer more 

 or less injury from them. 



In the fall of 189S black knot broke out on a great number of trees, making it 

 necessary in many cases to remove the entire tree. This had previously given no 

 trouble here, and the few knots which had appeared heretofore were promptly removed 

 before ripening. 



One end of this orchard is a very heavy red clay, and on this considerable loss 

 has occurred. The trees on this soil do well for a few years and will then winter- 

 kill at the roots. The tips of some branches have winter-killed, but not sufficient to 

 cause any damage to the tree. 



This orchard is lacking in protection which seems to be necessary for successful 

 plum-growing. The following varieties are now under trial : — 



