506 THE GARDENER. [Nov. 



meiit." AVf have '" experimented " with Sloe-stocks, but although bud and 

 grafts "took" easily enough, we never could secure a satisfactory after- 

 growth—indeed the plants would not grow at all after the lirst year. How- 

 ever, dwarf Plums are easily secured by the ordinary process of lifting and 

 root-pruning. This, when repeated several times, results in roots like wigs ; 

 and when this hapi)ens, it is necessary to thin out the matted roots, for 

 otherwise it is almost impossible to introduce new soil among them. Indeed, 

 if this be not done, little check will be given to the trees ; so when small 

 trees are wanted, the thiuniug of the roots becomes doubly necessary. 



Another peculiarity about Plums is that some of the kinds may be raised 

 from seed. Damsons and Greengages come tolerably true from seed ; but good 

 forms should always be propagated by budding, for slight differences generally 

 occur, which in a generation or two become great ones. This is proved by 

 the many inferior Greengages and Damsons to be met with. At the same 

 time improvements sometimes occur, so that raising these varieties of Plums 

 from seed becomes very interesting. Generall}^, however, we advise the 

 beginner to purchase budded trees. 



The liner dessert Plums require to be planted against walls facing south or 

 south-west. This is especially necessary in Scotland, and in the northern 

 counties of England. Fan or cordon training is the only mode of training 

 which we think suitable for Plums on walls. We may observe that the fruit- 

 bearing spurs are apt to get very long, so that it is well to keep them from 

 running too far out from the wall. Some kinds are very apt to get bare of 

 spurs altogether; and to keep the wall well supplied with bearing-wood, young 

 shoots should be laid in, to supply the places of the older branches as they 

 become bare. 



The appended list of Plums has been selected from a collection which 

 grew north of the Forth, so it may be regarded as suitable for northern local- 

 ities. Southern growers may add such other kinds as ai-e found to do well in 

 their own localities. In favourable districts, many of the kinds which, we 

 here recommend to be planted against sheltered walls facing the sun, may 

 thrive in the open garden. The climate must settle the question. 



For Walis. 



Early Rivers. — The earliest ; a medium-sized fruit, and only second quality ; 

 but the tree is an abundant bearer, and the fruit ripens with the later Goose- 

 berries ; it is thus particularly valuable. Greengwje. — Thoroughly well known, 

 and well deserving of a place. Jeffcrsoii's. — One of the best, so far as regards 

 quality, and when treated to a sunny sheltered wall, a good bearer. Kirkcs. 

 — Another excellent kind, well worth a favoured spot when room can be 

 ailorded, Washimjton. — A first-class fruit, and a good bearer on a good wall. 

 Reine Claude de Bavay. — Also first-class. Coc's Golden Drq?^. — One of the very 

 best ; may be kept after it is ripe for some time. Fidona.— Although not 

 the finest in flavour, it is yet so very good, and so certain and prolific a bearer, 

 that, had we only room for one Plum, it would most decidedly be Victoria 

 that would be planted. 



For the Open Air. 



Victoria. — Only in good localities in the north. Mitchelson's and Damson. — 

 "When only room can be afforded for one tree on walls, let it be Victoria. If 

 two, let the second also be Victoria or Early Rivers. If there is only room for 

 one in the open, the common Damson should get the place, as it is the bar- 



