404 THE PLUM. 



branches formed at two feet from the ground, we consider bes^-' In 

 order to have this, trees one year old from the bud are best to begin 

 with ; the stem cut off so as to let two buds start at about two feet 

 from ground, then . shortened back one half the next year. After 

 which, if the tree is of the slow or slender-growing varieties, it will 

 need no farther pruning than the above-named standard. If it is of 

 the strong, rampant-growing kind, it will require both root-pruning, 

 (i. e., passing round the root of the tree in a circle distant from the 

 body two feet for a tree of ten feet high, and with a long, sharp 

 spade, cut off all the roots,) and at same time shorten back the 

 year's growth one half This is best done in August. This mode is 

 especially calculated for the Western prairies and the warm South- 

 ern States. 



Cultivation. — Like all other fruit trees, the plum does best when 

 the ground is often dug or hoed around. Many growers are also of 

 impression that frequent stirring the soil prevents attacks of cur- 

 culio. Trees planted where swine have run among them are gene- 

 rally healthy and fruitful ; but whether it is owing to the stirring 

 of ground by their rooting, or food supplied the plants in their excre- 

 ment, is yet a question undecided. 



Manures. — The plum requires abundant food in the soil, and this 

 is generally best supplied by animal manure ; and where abundant 

 supply of animal manure has been given, salt will be found highly 

 beneficial : the proportion should be controlled somewhat by the 

 quantity of animal matter contained in the soil ; but a dressing of 

 half an mch deep over the whole ground, if applied in the spring, 

 may be regarded as a medium. The benefit to the tree of this 

 application will be in its tendency to an equable state of moisture in 

 the soil. Ashes, m soils devoid of lime and tie phosphates, will be 

 found beneficial : two bushels to a tree twel ve feet high, and in 

 bearing state, will be a guide ; larger trees requiring more, and 

 smaller ones less. Brewers' grains are also valuable as a manure, 

 when they can be obtained at prices corresponding with the value of 

 animal manures. 



Diseases. — The Black Warts, Knots, or Black Gum, is a disease 

 affecting many plum trees at the North. In the Southern States it 

 is not yet much known. Its cause is variously attributed — by some 

 to insects, {membracis bubalis. See Harris's Treatise on Insects ;) 

 by some to inherent cause from its parent; by some to tem- 

 perature and atmospheric change on the health and vigor of the 

 tree ; and by others to a diseased state of sap. After noting 

 that it first appears in a neighborhood on trees grown from 

 suckers, or propagated on sucker or unhealthy stocks, we are inclined 

 to a support of the last-named cause. Trees in a iudicious, rather 



