CULTURAL METHODS AND PRUNING FOR PLUMS 



AND PRUNES 



GEORGE H. HOWE 



Assistant Horticulturist, Xew York Agricultural Experiment Station, 



Geneva, X. Y. 



LOCATIOX 



Plums and prunes, like all other fruits, 

 thrive best in localities geologically and cli- 

 matically adapted to their growth. In gen- 

 eral, however, the location of plum orchards 

 is rather elastic and admits of a wide range 

 of conditions. Regions in Xew York most 

 suited to the culture of plums are the ele- 

 vated and sloping lands bordering the Great 

 Lakes, the Central Lakes of western Xew 

 York and the Hudson River Valley. Be- 

 sides the localities named, there are many 



others about the waterways of the state and also upon the elevated 

 plateaus of the western interior and upon the slopes of the eastern 

 mountain ranges. In almost a"ny section of the state suited to 

 general farm crops, where the seasons are not severe and where 

 late spring frosts are infrequent, plums may be grown. 



SOILS 



Plums, perhaps more than any other fruit unless it be the 

 apple, will succeed on a great diversity of soils. Good drainage 

 seems to be the prime requisite for the success of plum cultur 

 When the European sorts and all the various American speci< 

 are considered, each having wide diversities of soil adaptati< 

 it is readily seen that a selection of varieties to cover a broa< 

 range of soils is possible. This being so, some varieties of plui 

 can be grown on almost any soil not entirely prohibitive of pL 

 growth. 



The Domesticas and Insititias, the two best widely cultival 

 species in Xew York, grow best on rather heavy clay 

 They will thrive on lighter soils, but the choicest fruit usually 



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