496 THE GARDENER. [Nov. 



THE CULTIVATION OF HARDY FRUITS. 



{Continued from page iQ5.) 

 THE PLUM. 



We now beg to call the attention of the reader to the cultivation of the 

 Plum, which may be classed as the third in point of importance among 

 the larger-growing hardy fruits. No well-regulated, in fact no garden of 

 any pretensions whatever, ought to be without a well-selected assortment 

 of Plums. If these are properly chosen, and receive ample treatment, 

 there will be no difficulty in having a regular supply every day, both for 

 the table and kitchen use, from the beginning of August till the end of 

 j^ovember, or even in later seasons till the beginning of December. 



The Plum is generally propagated by budding or grafting, although 

 several varieties — such as the Damson, Wentworth, and several others 

 of the more common varieties — may be increased either by layers or 

 suckers. When thus propagated, they form large vigorous trees, 

 which are often barren for many years. Root -pruning does not 

 even have so much effect upon them as in the case of grafted or bud- 

 ded trees. The Damson is said to reproduce itself pretty truly from 

 seed ; of this, however, we have no experience ; and looking at the matter 

 from a theoretical point of view, we certainly would not recommend 

 it, as we would expect a rank, coarse-growing tree, which would be 

 loath to bear and vigorous to grow. The stocks in most general use 

 for grafting or budding upon are the Mussel, which produces the 

 largest, the best, and longest-lived trees, and is therefore the best 

 adapted for working upon for large standards. The white Pear Plum 

 and the St Julian are also pretty freely used, and answer the same pur- 

 pose very well. The Magnum Bonum has also been used at times, as 

 well as several others of the stronger-growing varieties, but they do not 

 answer so well as those we have already enumerated. Where a dwarf 

 habit and early fertility are much in demand, the Prunus spinosus, or 

 Sloe, is sometimes used, but these often prove very shortlived and 

 tender-constitutioned plants. The next best are the Mirabelle Plum or 

 the Damas Noir, which both tend to dwarf the tree, and at the same 

 to induce earlier fertility. 



The first consideration with those who wish to embark upon the pro- 

 pagation of the Plum will be the production of stocks. As already 

 hinted, these are the best when produced from seed of whatever variety 

 may be chosen upon for this purpose. Where layers or suckers are 

 employed for this purpose they often prove very troublesome in again 

 producing a yearly crop of the same, to the great injury of the tree as 

 well as the crop. The best time to sow the stones is in November. 



