IDEAL PLUM OR PRUNE 103 



We know that the branch system should re- 

 semble a vase in form, avoiding brushiness, 

 woodiness, or overgrowth. But many orchardists 

 who are well aware of this will not take the 

 trouble to prune the tree in such a way as to 

 encourage this development; nor will they con- 

 sider the matter of selecting a variety that tends 

 to grow in the right way without pruning. 



As to the leaf system, it is always desirable 

 that the foliage of a fruit tree should be large, 

 thick and abundant. Such leaves indicate ability 

 for large sugar production. 



In the case of cherries it is particularly desir- 

 able that the leaves should hang over the fruit 

 to protect it from the weather and from birds. 

 With the plum this is not so necessary. Still the 

 question of foliage should always be considered. 

 Other things being equal, seedlings should be 

 selected that show large, thick leaves. 



BLOSSOMS AND FRUITING 



It is almost axiomatic to say that plum seed- 

 lings should bear perfect blossoms in reasonable 

 abundance. 



The blossoms should be borne on the larger 

 wood of the tree rather than on the tips, because 

 the fruit is held better where it has the support 

 of the older wood. Moreover, if the fruit is borne 



