DWARF PLUMS 93 



branches, if the tree is to be restricted to a com- 

 paratively narrow spread. A considerable number of 

 strong shoots will put forth the next year. These 

 should be thinned out as soon as they start to a number 

 approximately twice that of the main arms. These 

 new branches should be distributed as symmetrically 

 as possible. The tree top is now formed and sub- 

 sequent pruning" consists essentially of a severe head- 

 ing in during the latter part of the dormant season, 

 that is, about March, followed by two, three, or four 

 summer prunings somewhat after the manner described 

 for the peach. At the time of these summer prunings 

 the young growing shoots should be thinned out 

 enough to prevent any choking of the tree top and 

 should be headed in wherever it is necessary to re- 

 tain the symmetrical growth. 



The manner of forming the fruit buds or spurs is 

 so diverse in the different kinds of plums that no 

 general rule can be given for encouraging them. Close 

 observation of each variety will soon enable the gar- 

 dener to direct his pruning in such a way as to assist 

 in this important process of fruit bud formation. In 

 a rough general way it may be said that the Domes- 

 tica and Americana varieties of plums form distinct 

 fruit spurs along the sides of one and two year old 

 branches, and that, for the encouragement of these, 

 considerable light should be admitted and the growth 

 of the interior shoots rather rigidly checked. The 

 Japanese and Hortulana varieties on the other hand 

 fruit best from very short spurs or clusters of buds 

 which form along from the strong one and two year 



