.S" / -.V TKMS OF C UL TURE ORCHA RDIXG - PI. UMS. J 8 1 



Bradley's King. The trees should be on common pluni stocks, and have clean stems 

 6 feet in height. Plums thrive in shallower soils than apples, cherries, or pears, as 

 the roots run along the surface, and in such soils, also the lighter marls, may be planted 

 15 feet apart = 193 trees per acre, but in deep strong clay loams they should be set 

 IS feet asunder = 134 trees per acre. Good trees cost Is. 6d. each, 15s. per dozen, 

 6 per 100 ; to 2s. each, 18s. per dozen, 7 10s. per 100. The distance of the trees 

 and their prices must have due consideration in fruit-growing for profit, but good well- 

 rooted trees are essential, and in the end the most economical. The trees should not 

 be deeply planted. Only the damsons and small-fruited plums must be employed for 

 shelter, as the branches of many plums are brittle and liable to break when laden with 

 fruit in situations much exposed to the wind. 



Greengages are sometimes planted in orchards on grass, and do well in good soils 

 and favourable situations, such as at Mentmore. Denniston's Superb, Green Gage or 

 Heine Claude, and Eeine Claude de Bavay are good varieties. 



Standard pluni and damson trees do not require much pruning. Strong leading 

 shoots must be shortened to ensure a well-furnished head, and the growths judiciously 

 thinned to prevent crowding or the shoots crossing each other. A too free use of the 

 knife results in sappy growths, and tends to gumming and decay in the branches. The 

 trees should be attended to early in July for the removal of crossing and superfluous 

 shoots, and the pruning completed early in October. This will only be required for a 

 few years to keep the centre clear and secure an open, evenly-balanced tree, not mop- 

 like by a multiplicity of twigs, nor straggling through neglect of pruning. After the 

 heads are formed very little pruning is needed, but they must be cleared of dead twigs 

 and spurs, keeping the growths sufficiently thin to allow free access of sunshine and air 

 for ripening the crops and wood. 



Plum trees commence bearing profitably in five to seven years, and damsons at five 

 or six years from planting ; but allowance must be made for the difference in soil and 

 early fruiting proclivities of the different varieties. Strong growing varieties in rich, 

 soils afford little fruit until the tenth year. At this age the produce of the orchard is 

 about 65 bushels per acre = 13 nett. In the fifteenth to twentieth year the trees 

 attain the period of best production, the yield occasionally reaching 261 bushels (about 

 60 Ibs. each), and brings in gross return 8s. per bushel = 104 8s. per acre. Such 

 returns are, however, very exceptional. In ordinary seasons and on an average the crop 

 rarely exceeds 261 bushels and the return nett 4s. per bushel = 52 4s. per acre. 



VOL. in. o o 



