94 FRUIT GARDEN COMPANION. 



tion of this tree, as it is precisely the same as the 

 cherry, with the exception of a different soil as 

 stated above. But let me here caution the reader 

 against the very improper method often practised of 

 inoculating the plum into peach stocks. This me- 

 thod produces fine young trees, that seldor-i or never 

 bear fruit. With this precaution, I shall proceed to 

 give a few hints relative to the culture of the plum. 

 The plum I consider a domestic tree. By this I 

 mean that it will thrive around dwellings either in 

 town or country. It will flourish well, if planted 

 near where the sediments of soap suds, &c. are 

 continually running or accumulating. Trees planted 

 near heaps of stones, or pavements, where the soil 

 is good underneath, will flourish and bear well. Re- 

 claimed land near rivers, or on the seaboard, or 

 where places have been filled up several feet with 

 rich earth and manure, are locations well adapted to 

 its growth. If such locations are a little sheltered 

 the better, for being much exposed to the sun I do 

 not think is of any advantage to its growth. In the 

 culture of the plum a very false system is often 

 adopted : that of heading in the luxuriant shoots of 

 the young wood of young trees, when they are 

 growing in a suitable location. This shortening is done 

 with a view to throw the tree into a bearing state, 

 when the only thing effected by the method is, that a 

 number of shoots are thrown out, and the tree forms 

 a thick bushy top of small weak branches, and never 

 makes so large and handsome a tree as it would if it 

 had been left to nature. Plum trees should never 

 be pruned when growing as standards, only when 

 the wood is too thick arid then the weakest wood 

 should be cut out. 



