422 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



ing- it firmly around the roots, leaving- the ground slightly dishing 

 toward the tree. If planting for commercial purposes, plant in 

 rows ten to twelve feet each way and give them a shallow but 

 thorough cultivation until the trees are large enough to partially 

 shade the ground. If you notice an unusual or abnormal growth, 

 which will sometimes occur in some varieties, cut them back slightly 

 in the latter part of August. It will have a tendency to prevent 

 blight or winter-killing. Examine your trees occasionally in the 

 spring and summer and be ready with the sprayer to check the in- 

 roads of devastating insects that prey upon the plum family. 



To the planter who only wishes to raise a sufficient quantity to 

 use for home consumption good results can be obtained by selecting 

 a dozen or so of the most promising native sorts. If the soil in the 

 location is not too strongly productive, plant in a group and keep 

 them constantly mulched, using old hay for that purpose, spreading 

 it on, say eight to ten inches deep, over the entire surface of the 

 ground. The mulching will not only serve the purpose of cultiva- 

 tion but will keep the ground loose and moist through the summer 

 season, and also prevent cracking in winter by freezing. We are 

 aware that mulching will create a harbor for injurious insects, but 

 the proper use of the sprayer at the right time will do away with that 

 danger. Such are the conclusions we have reached from our ob- 

 servations and experience with the native varieties. 



As to the European and Japan sorts would say to the small 

 planter, let them alone, for if you plant them your only reward will 

 be the loss of your labor and expense. We are also aware that some 

 experimenters have not only produced some fine samples of the 

 Japan and European sorts but have succeeded by careful nursing 

 in preserving the trees in a fair condition, but we do not consider 

 them at all reliable for practical planting. 



In conclusion, we desire to offer a few words of encouragement 

 to any who might desire a plum orchard and who have met with 

 failure in that line. Bear in mind that hundreds of plum trees are 

 sent into the state every season that are not adapted to this latitude 

 and are in a damaged condition on arrival. Perhaps you may have 

 been so unfortunate as to get some of that class. Some of the draw- 

 backs that caused your failure in the past might be overcome by new 

 methods at the present time. Take our advice and make another 

 trial by selecting a few of the best native sorts from some reliable' 

 source in the state and carefully following the instructions laid down 

 by the state experimenters, and you will be rewarded for your trouble 

 by a bountiful supply of rich, luscious fruit. 



