276 



Plums and Plum Culture 



ought to add that I know of no one who has yet 



tested it. 



This brings up the whole subject of cutting back. 



Some growers of Italian Prune and similar Domestica 



varieties, particularly in 



Michigan and New 



York, have contended 



that the proper manage- 

 ment of these trees 



demanded close heading- 



in. One may find num- 

 bers of orchards which 



have been treated in this 



way for a period of 



years. It must be said 



that the method has 



never proven so much 



better than the usual 



one as to convince 



everybody of its superior 



value. It has its advan- 

 tages. The trees are 



maintained within a 



more manageable com- 

 pass. They are easier 



to spray. The fruit is 

 easier to pick. More 

 trees can be handled on an acre. Still, the thrift of the 

 trees seems to be impaired in some cases after a few 

 years, and some growers say that smaller crops are 

 realized. It is really a matter of local and personal 

 practice. It cannot be determined by rule. If a man 

 finds that heading-in is best for him on his farm, he 

 should practice heading-in. If another man learns 

 by experience that it is better under his conditions to 

 let the trees take more their natural form, he should 



PLUM TREE (Miner type) 

 Two years old 



