FRUIT ON THE FARM. 267 



Varieties. Probably the most profitable of all the plums 

 grown is the "Damson." It is a small, blue plum, with a bloom 

 of a lighter blue, and is a popular and excellent fruit for can- 

 ning. The tree is a prolific bearer, and the fruit possesses the 

 valuable quality of remaining fit for market for some weeks, and 

 also bears transportation well. The tree comes into bearing 

 early, and often proves exceedingly profitable. Although wri- 

 ters catalogue a hundred varieties of this fruit, it would be im- 

 possible to name a list that would be of general value, and we 

 therefore leave it for each planter to decide for himself. 



Quinces. I have found the quince a more regular and 

 constant bearer than any other of the orchard fruits. Even in 

 the seasons of hard, late frosts which kill the blossoms, the 

 quince will, like the grape, put out a second bloom and make 

 some fruit. I have gathered eleven successive crops most of 

 them heavy from the same orchard. 



The quince requires a deep soil, and should be kept free 

 from grass and weeds, either by mulching or cultivation. Salt 

 at the rate of a quart to the tree is recommended to be used in 

 connection with stable manure. Quinces are hardy, and may be 

 planted in the fall. They do best transplanted at one year old 

 from cutting. Plant twelve feet apart, which will give three 

 hundred and two trees to the acre, but if a large orchard is 

 planted, leave every fifth space twenty feet wide for drawing in 

 manure and taking out the fruit. The trees require considera- 

 ble pruning, as the fruit is produced on spurs two or more years 

 old, and shortening the wood induces the formation of fruit buds. 



One excellent quality of the quince is that it bears handling 

 and keeps well, and may be shipped to a distant market with 

 safety. The varieties are few, and the Orange is the standard, 

 and the one best suited for the family or market. 



Cherries. A moderate sized cherry orchard, of well se- 

 lected varieties will furnish a succession of fruit for two months 

 or more. Cherries will grow on most soils if well drained, and 

 as I have proved in the orchard before referred to, they can be 

 grown successfully on wet soils by surface drainage alone. The 

 smaller varieties, such as the Dukes and Morellos, may be set 



