194 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



into an apple-tree when the weather is very comfortable about 

 him, he will do his work very nicely. I know it is said that 

 we must not cut a tree when the wood is frozen. I have 

 noticed that if you cut scions when they are frozen, you will 

 break a little of the wood, and that will turn brown after- 

 wards ; but still, I have not laid sufficient stress upon that to 

 avoid pruning at that time, if the men could be perfectly 

 comfortable. 



With regard to pruning, all the suckers about the roots 

 should be cut off the first time you see them, — the sooner the 

 better. They should not be tolerated at all. With young 

 trees, pruning may be practised at almost any season of the 

 year with advantage ; but when trees have attained some con- 

 sideral)le size, you must have a time for it, and I know no 

 better time than the mild days of January and February. 



Question. What variety of plum do you consider the best 

 and most profitable ? 



Mr. Gold. The Green Gage is the favorite with me, as 

 being unsurpassed in quality. The Imperial Gage is a better 

 bearer and a larger plum. 



Question. Are there not some varieties of plum more 

 exempt from black knot than others? 



Mr. Gold. I think there are. The Green Gage seems to 

 be as exempt as any other, although not perfectly so. I have 

 had a good many varieties. 



Question. Do not trees in a bearing state appear to have 

 more of it than before they bear? 



Mr. Gold. I know that idea has been advanced, but it has 

 not been borne out by my experience. Young shoots that 

 spring up from the roots are affected by it, that never have 

 blossomed. 



Question. Will the Green Gages reproduce without 

 buddino;? 



Mr. Gold. I have usually budded my trees, or propagated 

 them, from the suckers that come up from the roots. Some 

 varieties that I have send up a great many suckers, and I 

 graft or bud upon those. 



Mr. . There is a species of Green Gage in this 



vicinity that reproduces, and is very free from the curculio 

 and the black knot. 



