THE PLUM ] 345 



All plums can be propagated by layers, and this 

 method is recommendable for those sorts of cultivated 

 plums which it is desired to grow on own roots, and 

 which do not strike so readily from cuttings as other 

 sorts. However in the case of the wild plums propaga- 

 tion by other means is so easy that no gardener will take 

 the trouble to multiply them by layers. Layers are best 

 made early in spring as soon as the buds begin to swell, 

 and they should be watered in spring and summer to 

 promote the formation of rootlets, an-d then if properly 

 rooted may be separated and planted off in the following 

 winter. 



As in the case of most other fruit trees the cultivated 

 plums are more commonly propagated by budding or 

 grafting. Budding on young almond stock can be done 

 at any time from February to September, but the best 

 time is March, as at that time the almond stock is in full 

 sap and active grouth, and dormant buds of the plum of 

 last year's growth, are still available. Grafting on almond 

 stock, should be done in December or January. As 

 already mentioned the plum budded or grafted on the 

 almond grows very fast and lasts longer, besides attain- 

 ing full size and yielding good crops. However certain 

 varieties do not seem to agree well with almond, and in 

 their case it is advisable first to bud or graft with a sort 

 of plum which agrees well with the almond and then to 

 bud or graft the intermediary plum with the desired sort. 



Budding on plum stock is best done early in spring, 

 as soon as the sap of the stock is well in movement. The 

 stock should not be thicker than 2 c.m. and stems of only 

 i c.m. are better as the bud pushes more easily on young 

 wood. Budding in September gives good results if the 

 cultivator is careful to put the sap of th^ stock in move- 

 ment by aai abundant watering some days before. Grafting 1 

 is done in January or February, standards being grafted 

 towards the close of February, just before the buds begin 

 to swell. As a rule the wild form of Prunus domestica. 



