CHAPTER XVHl 

 The Plum 



THE Plum is grown as an orchard tree in the form of a standard, 

 and as a bush or pyramid in the garden. It is most useful also 

 for planting against a wall facing west or east, and even on 

 a north wall is fairly satisfactory. In preparing the ground 

 for the Plum, which is best planted in autumn, lime rubble 

 ought to be mixed in the soil freely ; failing this, use basic slag 

 at the rate of half a pound to the square yard. The ground 

 should be prepared a few weeks in advance of planting, so that 

 it may become moderately firm before the trees are put in. 



Planting. Young Plum trees are liable to produce very 

 vigorous growths during the first few years after being planted ; 

 for this reason it is not advisable to mix any yard manure in 

 the ground prepared for them. The soil ought to be made 

 quite firm about the roots by means of treading ; otherwise the 

 tendency to make long and useless shoots will be aggravated. 



Deep planting is to be avoided ; the roots must be spread 

 out well, and the uppermost ones should be covered with not 

 more than 2 inches of soil. A mulch of yard manure on the 

 soil above the roots in early summer is beneficial, because it 

 keeps the ground moist. 



A look out ought to be kept for suckers shoots that arise 

 from the stock upon which the Plum is budded, and spring up 

 around the tree, sometimes at a considerable distance from it. 

 They must be pulled up with as much root as possible. It is 

 not sufficient to cut them off at the ground level ; they will 

 grow again in increased numbers. 



Pruning. The pruning of the Plum needs to be carefully 

 performed. The trees bear fruit from spurs, short stunted 

 growths that arise on the main branches, and they also fruit 

 freely upon shoots of the previous year's growth. Whenever 

 there is room, therefore, such shoots ought to be preserved 

 and tied in. In time they will tako the place of older branches. 



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