364 THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



next the selection of the proper soil, and third the selection of varieties, 

 this last consideration to be somewhat influenced by the markets one 

 intends to patronize. 



At the present time there are but three or four localities in California 

 that are very extensively engaged in the shipping plum business. They 

 are located as follows : The Sacramento River district, comprising 

 that portion of the river territory located between Sacramento on the 

 north and Rio Vista on the south, and including the section around 

 Lodi ; the Vacaville district, comprising what is known as the English 

 Hills and Lagoon Valley and the Vaca Valley proper; and the Hill 

 section, comprising the Newcastle and Placerville districts. 



These three localities are very extensive and successful plum growing 

 districts, but the conditions obtaining in each are entirely different 

 from those in the others. If you should locate on the river you would 

 find a deep, rich, sandy sediment, loamy soil, with plenty of water for 

 irrigation. Should you locate in the Vacaville section, good judgment 

 must be exercised in the selection of a place. Secure a deep, rich 

 loamy soil, though if very well drained and other conditions are attrac- 

 tive a heavier soil may sometimes be selected, but must be treated 

 accordingly. Should you go to the Newcastle district you will find a 

 decomposed granite soil entirely different from either of the other 

 localities mentioned, and requiring different treatment. 



In the past the Tragedy has been the favorite plum on the river, but 

 many other varieties succeed well. In the Vacaville district it seems 

 that almost every variety know^n to mankind is being tried out to the 

 limit. Of the one hundred and fifty different varieties of plums 

 shipped last season by the California Fruit Distributors, Vacaville 

 seems to have been represented in almost every one. The Newcastle 

 district runs strongly to Burbanks, but follows very closely with any 

 newborn favorite reported from Vacaville. Placerville confines her 

 shipments almost exclusively to the Hungarian. 



"When the selection of location, soil and variety has been made, the 

 next important problem is the root stock, and a big problem it is, and 

 one on which I hesitate to offer advice except in a general way. 



The first choice for a root stock for all locations and conditions is the 

 Myrobalan, followed very closely by the peach, but the peach requires 

 a very well drained soil. A most excellent stock, though little used 

 on this coast, is the Marianna, a hybrid originating some years ago in 

 Texas. It grows very readily from cuttings, but does not sprout or 

 "sucker," as it is commonly called. 



Great care must be exercised in the selection of root stock, as some 

 varieties refuse to make satisfactory union on certain roots, and other 

 varieties refuse to produce a crop, while still others do not produce 

 satisfactor.v quality. 



In growing your nursery stock the usual nursery practice is followed. 

 The seedlings are budded or grafted the first season, and generally 

 remain in the nursery until the buds or grafts are one year old and 

 have attained a height of from 4 to 6 feet. 



Before the trees are planted in orchard form the land should be 

 well prepared by plowing about eight inches deep with a good turning 

 plow, and this plow should be followed in each furrow by a good subsoil 

 plow running to a depth of from 16 to 20 inches. The subsoiling is 



