MISOELLA.NBOUS PAPERS. 383 



plam trees may be cut back, and the sprouts budded with any variety 

 when the bark will separate from the wood. I have had better suc- 

 cess in top-grafting just before growth begins in spring. Plum trees 

 come into bearing so early that it is generally best to plant young trees 

 of the varieties desired. Young trees, scions or buds, may be ob- 

 tained from any of the nurserymen who advertise in the Rural World. 



Prof. L. H. Bailey, of Cornell University, is convinced that the 

 Japanese plums have come to stay. He does not mean by this that 

 they are destined to supplant the Domestica and native varieties, but 

 that they may be expected to supplement those types with varieties 

 that are adapted to particular purposes and conditions. As a class he 

 pronounces them vigorous, hardy and productive in tree, with hand- 

 some fruit, having a long season and long keeping quality — Live Stock 

 Journal. 



COMMERCIAL PLUM ORCHARD. 



In planting a commercial plum orchard location, varieties and 

 management must be well considered. While the plum is not so sen- 

 sative to location as the peach, it will not bear the neglect which so 

 frequently falls to the apple. A good elevation is desirable, but not 

 absolutely essential to success, provided other conditions are favora- 

 ble, such as a good soil and thorough drainage. There should be but 

 few varieties in a commercial orchard, but those selected should com- 

 bine size, quality and a fine appearance. As a rule, blue and purple 

 plums sell best, as the yellow varieties are frequently placed on the 

 market before they are ripe. 



A good general list will include the following: Of the dark kinds, 

 Bradshaw, Duane Purple, German Prune, Lombard, Englebert, Quack- 

 enboss; of the yellow sorts, Coe's Golden Drop, General Hand, Jef- 

 ferson, Yellow Egg. There are many other excellent varieties, but the 

 above is a good general list. Of the Japanese plums Abundance, Bur- 

 bank, Bailey, Satsuma and Willard have been highly recommended. 



Thorough cultivation, early and frequent spraying and the jarring 

 sheet for curculio are necessary to success. Before the leaves start 

 go over the orchard and carefully cut 'out and burn all black knot. 

 This is imperative. The trees should receive what pruning they re- 

 quire before the buds start, and the first spraying should be given just 

 as the buds are opening. Corn and potatoes may be planted in young 

 orchards, but when the trees come into bearing they should re- 



