( i LTURAL METHODS, PRUNING FOR PLUMS AND PRUNES 1173 



comes from the large productive orchards grown on heavy soil. 

 Heavy clay loams are not necessarily cold and wet; they may and 

 should be well drained and comparatively warm. The Japanese 

 plums, almost as widely grown in New York as the Domesticas, 

 seem to succeed well 011 light soils. A light, sandy or gravelly 

 loam suits them best, although they will thrive on soils contain- 

 ing more sand or clay tluin normal ideal types. The American 

 plums require much the same soil as that adapted to the 

 Domesticas. A rich heavy loam composed of rather stiff clay 

 is most suitable, but soils in which moderate amounts of sand pre- 

 vail do not interfere with a thrifty growth in favorable climates. 

 The llortulana and Munsoniana plums, while not fastidious as 

 to soils, do best on comparatively light types of soil such as those 

 on which the Trifloras flourish. 



EXPOSURES 



The slope of the land for plum orchards in general is not of 

 greatest importance. All conditions being equal, a southeastern 

 exposure is best. Only cold, backward soils require a south- 

 western slope. Where late spring frosts prevail, a northern ex- 

 posure is most suitable to retard blooming time. The Japanese 

 varieties, being particularly early bloomers, require more or less 

 consideration in this respect. With most other species, the 

 direction of the slope makes but little difference, but the greatest 

 success is attained where there is enough slope for air and water 

 irainage. 



DRAINAGE 



The more improved the mechanical condition of the soil, the 

 more quickly do plum trees, like other plants, respond. The 

 rather stiff clay loams already mentioned must not be heavy an'd 

 damp, but well drained, to admit of effective plum culture. Some 

 plums will stand rather more water than any other tree-fruits, but 

 such a notion should not be relied upon too far when the question 

 of drainage arises. The specific purpose of underdrainage is to 

 make the soil warmer and drier during Avet weather, and cooler 

 and moistor during 1 drouth. Well-drained soils are also con- 

 ductive to greater ease of cutivation, and the combination of 

 these two factors strongly influences the adaptability- of availablo 

 plant food. 



