FRUIT PLANTATIONS PLUMS. 299 



Up to the seventh year the trees have ample room at G feet apai-i on the free 

 system that is, merely shortening irregular growths, and keeping the heads open by 

 the removal of needless spray and crossing shoots ; then every other tree and row must 

 be removed. These will form 3 acres of plantation at 12 feet apart, and if denuded 

 of blossom the following spring, will recuperate so as to bear crops the year succeeding. 

 At this distance the sun shines on the ground between them, and, with judicious prun- 

 ing, on every branch to its base. From the twelfth year such trees will bear a bushel 

 of fruit each for selling by the bushel, or G to 10 dozen specimens for packing in boxes 

 holding 1 dozen each. 



The pruning of pyramid and bush trees at 12 feet apart consists in shortening the 

 side shoots in June, removing superfluous branches during the summer, leaving the 

 leading growths intact, unless unduly long, until October, then shortening to secure 

 sturdiness and growths in the right direction, cutting the side shoots to three or four 

 buds. Aged trees should have the growths thinned where crowded. Every autumn, 

 if the trees crop well, apply a top dressing of stable or farmyard manure, about an 

 inch thick, to a foot beyond the spread of the branches and leave it there, pointing 

 lightly in the spring, or if the roots are matted at the surface, cover with a little soil from 

 between the trees. Kainit and superphosphate in equal parts may be sprinkled on the 

 soil in February at the rate of 3 pounds per rod, and when the fruit is set, supply 

 powdered nitrate of soda similarly at the rate of 2 pounds per rod. Soot and guano are 

 useful stimulants, either as top-dressings or in liquid forms. It must always be 

 remembered that the early blossoming of pear trees endangers the crop of fruit. 



Plums. These thrive on loams, clayey loams, ferruginous gravelly marls, and 

 calcareous clays. They grow well in soils too shallow for apples and pears. Shelter 

 from exposed points is necessary ; this may be provided by damson trees set to form 

 a semi-hedge. The trees may be half-standard, open bush, or pyramid. Suitable 

 varieties are : Early Prolific (Rivers'). Czar, Goliath (requires a warm soil), Sultan, 

 Victoria, Belgian Purple, Mitehelson's. Prince Engelbert, Pond's Seedling, White 

 ^Magnum Bonnm, and Monarch. Gages: Denniston's Superb, Early Transparent, 

 Green Gage, Golden Transparent, Bryanston, and Eeine Claude de Bavay ; also for 

 dessert : De Montfort, Jefferson, and Coe's Golden Drop. 



Iluli'-'sfandards or pyramids may be planted 9 feet apart in firm soils, in friable 

 and rich 12 feet. Good trees half-standards with 3 or 4 feet stems, or pyramids or 

 bushes, two or three years old cost Q per hundred 32 Gs. 3d. for 537 trees at 



Q Q 2 



