FRUIT CULTURE. 23 



tions of neglect does it fail to produce an abundance of fruit. 

 It will not be injured by extreme high cultivation and 

 manuring, not making that late and immature growth that 

 the peach and pear does under similar conditions. 



The principal obstacles to be overcome in the cultivation 

 of this fruit are the plum weevil or curculio, rotting of the 

 fruit, and the black wart. The first is easily overcome by 

 planting the trees in poultry yards, or by jarring them and 

 catching the insects upon screens. Rotting of the fruit is- 

 perhaps remedied by thinning when not over one-half inch 

 in diameter, by planting Avhere there is a free circulation of 

 air and by stirring the soil once a week during the summer 

 until the fruit is nearly ri})e. The l>lack wart jnii«t he cut 

 away with the knife and a vigorous growth encouraged. 



Very early and very late varieties of large size are found 

 to bring the highest prices. We have had so little expe- 

 rience with the varieties of plums in this State for the past 

 few years that it is impossible to say which will be the best. 

 We would name, in order of ripening, the following : Brad- 

 shaw, AYashington, Lombard, Yellow Lgg, Pond's Seedling, 

 Coe's Golden, German Prune, and Victoria. 



TiiE Quince. 



1875. No. of trees, 3,000 ; yield, 3,011 bush. ; value, $9,334. 

 1885. " " 51,913; » 5,406 " " 11,770. 



The quince is not a fruit that will probably ever be very 

 extensively called for in our markets. Used for cooking 

 only, but a limited quantity can be sold, and should the 

 large number of trees planted the past few years all over the 

 country come to maturity they will yield such a crop that 

 very low prices will rule. The past season, New York 

 quinces have been quoted in our markets at $2.50 and $3.00 

 per barrel. 



It requires a deep, rich, moist soil for its best develop- 

 ment. It is slow in growth and upon light land does not 

 bear much until it is six or eight years old. 



It is very much injured by the flat-headed apple borer 

 (chrysobothris femorata). This borer does not work very 

 deep into the wood and is easily destroyed with the knife. 



