THE PLUM IN KANSAS. 57 



A COMMERCIAL PLUM ORCHARD. 



In planting a commercial plum orchard, location, varieties and management 

 must be well considered. While the plum is not so sensitive to location as the 

 peach, it will not bear the neglect which so frequently falls to the apple. A good 

 elevation is desirable, but not absolutely essential to success, provided other 

 conditions are favorable, such as a good soil and thorough drainage. There 

 should be but few varieties in a commercial orchard, but those selected should 

 combine size, quality, and a fine appearance. As a rule, blue and purple plums 

 sell best, as the yellow varieties are frequently placed on the market before they 

 are ripe. 



A good general list will include the following: Of the dark kinds, Bradshaw, 

 Duane, Purple, German Prune, Lombard, Englebert, Quackenbose; of the yellow 

 sorts, Coe's Golden Drop, General Hand, Jefferson, Yellow Egg. There are 

 many other excellent varieties, but the above is a good general list. Of the 

 Japanese plums, Abundance, Burbank, Bailey, Satsuma and Willard have been 

 highly recommended. 



Thorough cultivation, early and frequent sjjraying, and the jarring sheet for 

 curculio, are necessary to success. Before the leaves start, go over the orchard 

 and carefully cut out and burn all black knot. This is imperative. The trees 

 should receive what pruning they require before the buds start, and the first 

 spraying should be just as the buds are opening. Corn and potatoes may be 

 planted in young orchards, but when the trees come into bearing they should re- 

 ceive the full use of the land. Never sow wheat or oats among trees, as they are 

 sure to rob the orchard of more than they return the owner. — G. L. P., in Ameri- 

 can Agriculturist. 



RAISING PLUMS IN NEW YORK. 



For years the culture of the plum in New York was largely confined to the 

 region adjacent to the Hudson river. Indeed, commercially considered, the busi- 

 ness may be said to have had its inception there, from which it has moved west- 

 ward, and to-day has become one of the largest of the fruit-growing industries. 

 The European sorts, comprising a few varieties only, are principally grown, and 

 will be for years to come, while the advent of those of the Japan type has given 

 a fresh impulse to the business that is likely to continue. The Abundance was 

 first introduced, followed by the Burbank, which, by reason of its superior ship- 

 ping qualities, great productiveness, and acknowledged value as a canning fruit, 

 heads the list as a favorite orchard sort. Satsuma is gradually growing into fa- 

 vor, with sentiment divided as to productivenes and quality, while its color is 

 against it as a market sort. Of more recent introduction, the Red June has 

 shown itself to be wonderfully hardy in fruit-bud, very early in ripening, its fruit 

 of good quality, and so attractive in color as to command the markets on which 

 it is placed, while Wickson, October Purple and Hale complete the list of those 

 seedlings of foreign parentage destined to work a revolution in American plum 

 growing. The Wickson, while of excellent quality and great beauty, has up to 

 the present time failed to show sufficient productiveness to entitle it to a place in 

 the commercial orchard. The trees make a strong growth and, at this season of 

 the year, as usual, are loaded with fruit-buds that give an enormous bloom but 

 fail to set the fruit. It is possible that with increasing age this fault may be 

 changed. To my own taste the Hale excels all others in quality, while the Octo- 

 ber Purple, maturing its fruit quite late and being so attractive in color, will 

 without doubt supply the requirements and great demand for a late plum. It 

 may be picked green, and in the course of ten days or two weeks will be found to 

 color and mature perfectly for market.— *S'. I). W., in American Agriculturist. 



