60 THE BOOK OF PEARS AND PLUMS 



the R.H.S.'s garden at Chiswick are a triumph of skilful 

 culture, as good crops are raised on many trees in a hot 

 and gravelly soil. Some damsons, however, do not 

 thrive there. But such culture is costly. In soils of 

 an intermediate character, much may be done by adding 

 other materials as suggested for pears. If there is any 

 doubt about the amount of lime in the soil, an analysis 

 should be obtained, and special notice taken of the trees 

 in the neighbourhood. The plum (like the pear) will 

 not thrive in a low, wet, undrained locality, nor in one 

 that is very dry or exposed. Drainage is essential to 

 success. If, in a rainy season, water in a clay soil is 

 allowed to remain round the roots, canker or gumming 

 is pretty sure to follow. Excessive moisture is as bad 

 as extreme dryness. The slope of the ground, therefore, 

 is a matter of importance. In Essex there is often land 

 quite level with a heavy clay soil difficult to drain ; such 

 soil would not suit plums, though it might suit quinces. 

 The aspect as well as the slope must also be considered. 

 For the better class of plums, i.e. dessert varieties, where 

 sweetness is expected, a position open to the southern 

 sun is best, but they will also thrive if the aspect is 

 S.-E. or even S.-W. Culinary and hardy varieties might 

 be planted in the colder aspects to the N., N.-E. or 

 N.-W. Proper shelter must by no means be forgotten. 

 Bitter north winds may injure the bloom almost as much 

 as frost or rain ; strong winds from the E. or S.-W. 

 may do great damage to heavy crops. Mr Lewis Castle 

 in "Plums for Profit" (edited by myself, S.P.C.K.) 

 suggests that " Canadian and Italian poplars make a 

 good break if tall growers are required, but cherry 

 plums, the myrobalan, will grow into a strong hedge 

 in two or three years' time if the height be sufficient." 

 Damson hedges serve a double purpose and afford good 

 protection. He also suggests that some of the orna- 

 mental crabs are similarly useful for protection. Of 



