IQ4 THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



year the branch produces some fruit and forms spurs, either naturally or by pinching, 

 the latter giving rise to a shoot from the base, as shown in W. At three summers' growth 

 the branch is in full bearing ( F), and, being cut away to a basal growth or bud after 

 the fruit is gathered, it will push a shoot the following spring to take its place and 

 bear a full crop in the third year. The system can also be adopted on short-pruning 

 principles, the shoots being stopped and blossom buds or spurs formed by close 

 pinching, and after bearing these are cut to make room for others originated from their 

 bases. This is applicable to all formal trees, including bushes and pyramids. The 

 principle is shown in A, and may be denned " bearing on young wood instead of old 

 weak spurs." It can be modified according to circumstances. 



Plum trees in pots are effective from a decorative point of view, when laden with 

 showy fruits. Those with red fruit tell the best by artificial light, but yellow plums 

 are very beautiful. Pyramids in 9- or 10-inch pots and carrying five dozen fruits, are 

 also useful. One of the best for this purpose is the Czar, its bluish hue rendering the 

 fruit singularly attractive (Fig. 50). 



Forcing. Plums are impatient of artificial heat, yet they may be accelerated so a A 

 to ripen in May or June. Three good dessert varieties for forcing are : Early Favourite, 

 De Montfort and Early Transparent ; the Czar, Belgian Purple and Victoria also being 

 useful. These afford a succession of fruit over six weeks. Instead of long successional 

 supplies from one house it is better to divide the varieties into sections and plant each 

 in separate houses or compartments, say (1) Early Forcing : Early Favourite, Oullins 

 Golden, Czar, Belgian Purple; (2) Midseason: Early Transparent, Jefferson, Prince 

 Engelbert, Victoria ; (3) Late : Transparent, Coe's Golden Drop, Kirke's, and Monarch. 

 These naturally afford a supply of fruit from the end of July to the close of September. 

 By forcing, the season can be accelerated two months ; by retarding, excellent fruit can 

 be had in November ; by storing, fruit can be had till the end of the year. 



Temperatures. In forcing to time, about five months are required from starting to 

 the fruit being ripe, but the early varieties need less time than the midseason and those 

 ripen several days before the late varieties under the same conditions. These matters 

 must have due consideration. One example of the forcing routine will suffice, namely, 

 a house containing early varieties started at the new year to afford ripe fruit in May 

 and June. If the trees have not been forced before, the house should be closed by the 

 middle of December, air being freely admitted, only employing fire heat to exclude 

 frost; on January 1 maintain a night temperature of 10 , 40 to 45 by day, artifi- 



