PLUMS AND CHERRIES. 321 



PLUMS AND CHERRIES. 



CLARENCE WEDGE. ALBERT LEA. 



The interest in our better varieties of native plums is growing- 

 rapidly, and when their value for dessert, sauce, jelly and canning 

 purposes is considered in connection with the entire hardiness and 

 great productiveness of the trees, we think they can scarcely be too 

 highly praised in our horticultural papers or nursery catalogues. 



There is already a long and valuable list of varieties from which 

 to choose, and one who has never had any experience outside the 

 common wild plum can hardly fail to be pleased with any one of 

 them; and there is such a dilference in their behavior in various 

 soils and situations that it is well and safe for each individual to 

 experiment with a goodly number of varieties in order to determine 

 those best suited to his tastes as well as to his peculiar location. 



In considering this fruit the matter of stocks is of first importance, 

 and we are fully of the opinion that more injury has been done the 

 reputation of this hardiest of fruits by improper graftage in the 

 nursery than from any or all other causes. The southern and east- 

 ern wholesale nurseries offer a large share of their plums on im- 

 ported or peach stocks, and while these make good nursery trees 

 they are certain to be a disappointment in the orchard. We had 

 thought that the best way to propagate this fruit was on its own 

 roots, but we are now of opinion, after observing the good behavior 

 of old orchard trees on Americana stocks, that there is nothing 

 better than the latter, although the sand cherry may have certain 

 advantages, shortly to be considered. We are glad to report that the 

 reputable northern nurseries are beginning to use this stock almost 

 exclusively, and they will be still more disposed to do so if their 

 custoiners demand it. The sand cherry, which has had quite a trial 

 as a stock for the native plum, is, of course, equally as hardy and 

 adapted to the climate as the Americana. It certainl}'^ makes the 

 best and smoothest of unions with the wood, as is abundantly proved 

 by trees two or three inches in diameter that have been shown at 

 the Iowa horticultural meetings split through the point of union, 

 and as the writer has become well convinced by his experience at 

 home. It is also true that trees so propagated make a goodjthriftj'^ 

 growth in the nursery and will average five to six feet at two 

 years from the bud. 



The advantages of this stock are: First. The certainty of sending 

 out trees true to name, a tnatter of no small importance, as we have 

 found to our cost in buying stock to start with from the most relia- 

 ble nurseries and experiment stations. The leaf and wood of the 

 native stocks is, as a matter of course, so difficult to distinguish 

 from their improved relatives that only the closest attention and 

 inspection in the nursery will prevent many sprouts from below the 

 bud or graft taking the place of the tree and being sent out for the 

 named variety with which they have been w^orked. 



Second. The fine root system possessed by the sand cherry as 

 compared with the Americana, and fine appearance such roots give 

 to the tree as sent out from the nursery, as well as the ease and safety 

 with which the roots can be baled. 



