PLUMS AND GAGES. 63 



parts are very shy bearers, and, as a rule, it would be 

 well not to risk these on small holdings where there is 

 any doubt about them, unless against walls, or under 

 glass. There are other very fruitful varieties, like 

 "Victoria" (quite the best all-round mid-season plum), 

 which are almost certain to give a good crop in good 

 situations; and if well cultivated, others may be de- 

 pended upon every other year. 



The best all-round varieties are, probably, Early 

 Prolific, Czar, New Orleans, Ouillon's Groldengage, 

 Denniston's Superb, Belgian Purple, Yictoria, Jeffer- 

 son's, Pond's Seedling, Coe's Grolden Drop, Belle de 

 Septembre, Grand Duke, Monarch, Sultan, and Black 

 Diamond. Enquiry may be made for any local sorts 

 the latest of dessert heavy bearers as these are likely to 

 sell best, and if any of the late Continental sorts can be 

 got, it will be well to make a trial of them. 



Winter moth is the only insect (besides the summer 

 aphis, mostly on walls) that troubles the plum. Birds 

 will keep down the former. The aphis can be syringed 

 with a weak mixture of paraffin and soft soap, or the 

 young stems can be steeped in a bowl of the same 

 solution. 



