CHAP. TIL j THE PLUM. 179 



on the wall, as the tree spreads rapidly, and 

 does not bear cutting in. 



The Plum. — Xo plum tree, except, perhaps, 

 the green gage, should be planted on a south 

 wall ; and, as a north wall is too cold for the 

 finer kinds, they do best planted against a wall 

 facing to the east or west. Any common oar- 

 den soil will suit plum trees ; and, when the 

 soil appears exhausted, it may be renovated bv 

 a little rotten dung, laid on the surface, and 

 slightly forked in ; as much care as possible 

 beino- taken to avoid disturbing the roots. 

 Plum trees bear on what are called spurs, 

 which are short rugged-looking little branches, 

 jutting out from the shoots of two or three 

 years' growth. The same spurs bear more 

 than once, and often continue fruitful several 

 years. Plum trees are generally trained hori- 

 zontally. The kinds are very numerous, but 

 the Green Gage and Orleans are, perhaps, the 

 most popular. The Jefrerson Plum is a new 

 variety, introduced from America in 1841, 

 which is said to be superior in flavour even to 

 the Green Gage. The fruit is of a dark yel- 

 low, speckled with purple and brownish red ; 

 and the flesh is a deep orange, slightly ad- 

 hering to the stone, and exceedingly rich and 

 sugary. The tree is a great bearer; and the 

 fruit has the property of hanging on the tree 

 for a considerable time after it is ripe. The 

 fruit ripens well on standard trees. A Syrian 

 plum, called Aloo Bokhara, introduced by John 

 Barker, Esq., in 1848, is remarkable for its 

 transparency, which is so great, that when the 

 fruit is ripe, the stone may be distinctlv seen 



n2 j 



