CHAPTEE XXII. 



PLUMS AND GAGES. 



PLUMS are amongst the most profitable of British fruits, 

 where they do well. But in some districts on the west 

 coast there are very few sorts that thrive. As they 

 commence bearing quicker than most kinds of "top" 

 or standard fruit, they should be planted wherever they 

 are known to succeed. The prejudice against plums, 

 because in good seasons they are worth next to nothing 

 is mainly owing to the mid-season varieties being 

 almost exclusively cultivated. 



In Belgium, with a climate like ours, plums are often 

 to be found in season from the end of June to the 

 month of November. 



"We have in this country now some of the most 

 prolific of the earliest varieties, which have been mainly 

 sent out from Mr. Rivers' Nursery Grounds at Saw- 

 bridge worth. 



As regards late plums, our markets have been almost 

 entirely supplied from abroad, during October, with the 

 latest varieties; but there is no doubt that both the 

 earliest and the latest sorts could be profitably cultivated 

 in this country, and these it would be well to try more 

 largely in all good plum-growing districts. 



The greengage and other choice dessert sorts in many 



