146 PLUMS. 



it can be successfully grown where corn or small 

 grain will make a good crop. Avoid the tops of 

 hills or abrupt knolls, unless they are known to 

 have a good, deep moderately rich soil, which is 

 not generally the case. 



Plum trees are not much subject to diseases of 

 any kind. It is generally only necessary to select 

 good thrifty trees of good varieties, plant them 

 well on good ground, cultivate them, keep off the 

 worms that destroy the foliage, and nature will do 

 the rest. 



There are about fifty varieties of the natives that 

 are grown, and described by the different propa- 

 gators, and nearly all have merit; but as there are 

 so many so nearly like the others, it will only be 

 necessary to describe as many as will ever be needed 

 for home use or market. There is really about as 

 little use in having a large variety of plums of the 

 same general character, as there would be in hav- 

 ing one similar of potatoes. Those below given 

 are of value for all purposes, and any three or 

 four will be varieties enough for the family. 



Desota. Originated near the Mississippi river 

 in Wisconsin; is good size; from i to i% inches; 

 light mottled red on yellow ground; very product- 

 ive; a good grower and succeeds in more localities 

 than any of the others. 



Forest Garden. Originated either near Council 

 Bluffs or Cedar Rapids, Iowa; both are claimed. 

 Fruit about same size as Desota, better in quality 

 for dessert, but not so good a shipper, having too 



