BEST NORTHERN PLUMS. 4I3 



off the end of the shoot. If you do not do this the chances are 

 that when the growth is twenty or thirty inches in length it will 

 be torn off when the first violent thunder storm comes along, by 

 splitting down, as we call it. If nipped back as I have directed, 

 it is safe from injury in any ordinary storm. 



Look over all top-worked trees six or eight times during the 

 season, removing all buds as fast as they form anywhere on the 

 stock. This kind of pruning is mostly done with the thumb or 

 forefinger or both, always keeping an eye on the new growth of 

 the scion, and when there is danger of its getting top-heavy pinch- 

 ing it back. 



In regard to the new varieties of plums that will in a few 

 years supersede the most of the kinds now grown, they are for 

 the most part composed of a union of some of the varieties named 

 in this paper with European or Japan plums by cross fertilization. 

 The pits from this fruit are planted and grown, the best varieties 

 selected and crossed again, and so on without end. We have had 

 fine success in this line of work, and we invite all our friends who 

 are interested in such matters to visit our grounds when plums are 

 ripe and compare the new with the old kinds. Mr. Patten, of 

 Charles City, has five varieties of his own production that are 

 pronounced by plum experts as very valuable, and there is no 

 doubt they will be heard from in the future. New and valuable, 

 varieties are appearing, not only in Iowa, in many localities, but in 

 Minnesota, and Wisconsin, not to be outdone, can show its share of 

 new and valuable seedlings. 



None of these new and valuable plum trees that I am writing 

 about can now be purchased, as there has been no time to propa- 

 gate stock for the general market. The best trees that I know 

 anything about bore their first crop the past season, therefore, it 

 is best for the people to not get excited about this matter and give 

 orders for new kinds of plums to strangers of whom they know 

 nothing. Wait a few years and then buy some of parties whom 

 you know to be reliable. Use good judgment in this matter, the 

 same as you would in buying seed corn to produce the best results. 



