1176 THE FRUIT INDUSTRY IN NEW YORK STATE 



get the orchard started at a season when the rush of work is 

 lighter than in the spring. Nevertheless, but few species of 

 plums can often be set in the fall without danger of considerable 

 loss. 



In this region it is common practice to plant plum trees two 

 years from the bud. Occasionally three-year-old trees, if slow- 

 growing sorts, are used. Trees of the Japanese varieties are fre- 

 quently planted at a year from the bud. Such young stock can 

 be handled and shipped cheaply, but it is not often to be recom- 

 mended. Some growers, however, prefer this young stock, n( 

 only because it is cheaper, but because it is easier to set thj 

 are older trees. 



CULTIVATION 



Plum orchards, like those of all other tree-fruits, should be 

 tilled. Horticulturists and growers are agreed upon this prac- 

 tice. Tillage usually commences with plowing in the spring, fol- 

 lowed by cultivation during the summer until the first or the 

 middle of August, at which time a cover crop of clover, oats, or 

 barley is sown. Plowing in the spring should be done as soon 

 as the ground is dry enough to work with advantage. It 

 should be sufficiently deep to insure a good heavy mulch when 

 cultivation commences. Plums and prunes seem to need more 

 water than do other tree-fruits, often thriving luxuriantly on 

 rather moist land. Cultivation is necessary to conserve this 

 moisture. 



Plum orchards growing in sod seldom prove successful, and it 

 is commonly stated that brown rot is more serious under such 

 conditions. In tilled orchards, much of the mummied fruit 

 which carries the fungus through the winter is buried by the 

 plowing and does not come to life. The summer tillage is im- 

 portant. Disking following the plowing is frequently practi< 

 especially if the soil is heavy and lumpy. During the summ< 

 however, a spring-toothed harrow is the most successful t( 

 Cultivation should not be too deep, but should be thorough. Tl 

 orchard in which abundant moisture prevails is the one having tl 

 best mulch. 



