8 THE GARDENER. [Jan. 



ways — one especially, that as a back row to a broad ribbon-border. 

 I have used it in several ways in the flower-garden, and always with 

 the best effect, and am of opinion that such a garden is not compara- 

 tively perfect even without it. I hope to give some hints shortly on 

 the use of the Hollyhock as a decorative agent in the flower-garden. 



William Plester. 

 Elsenham Hall Gardens. 



THE CULTIVATION OF HARDY FRUITS. 



THE PLUM. 



{Continued from page 541 of 1869.) 



The Plum being one of the hardiest of fruits, many of its varieties 

 are admirably suited for cultivation in the open ground. If a tall- 

 standard form of growth be intended, the stronger-growing varieties 

 must be fixed upon — the young shoot made the first season must be 

 trained up to a stake, so as to keep it erect. If at the end of the sea- 

 son's growth it has attained the desired height and perfected its wood, 

 so much the better ; but if not, it ought to be cut back to the first 

 plump bud upon the ripened wood, and the following year trained up 

 to the desired height. If it takes two years to accomplish this, there 

 will be a number of young shoots made upon the former year's wood ; 

 these, during the summer, ought to be regularly pinched back to three 

 or four eyes, so as to throw strength into the leader. At the winter 

 pruning these ought to be cut back entirely, so as to leave a clean 

 bare stem. Standard Plums are grown at heights ranging from 3 to 

 5 or 6 feet. 4 feet is considered to be a very good height. To 

 get this, prune the leader 2 or 3 inches higher; the following season 

 three or four shoots can be had springing from the stem to form the 

 young tree at the desired height. All other shoots made lower than 

 this w T e would pinch as already hinted, and cut clean off at the winter 

 pruning. The shoots left for forming the tree should be cut back to 

 about 1 foot in length, so as to get the tree well furnished, and avoid 

 a long and straggling habit. In the case of a variety w T hich has a 

 tendency to grow very erect, the pruning should be done directly be- 

 yond a bud, in such a position as would tend to spread out the branches 

 as much as possible. Where the habit is drooping, as is generally the 

 case with plums, the point-bud left at the pruning season ought to be 

 directly on the top of the shoots, in order to encourage a more erect 

 habit of growth. The cultivation in all after-management of young 

 standard-plums must be guided by circumstances, as well as taste in the 



