Fourth, cross incompatability. It is strongly suspected that in some areas 

 the beach plum bushes are so closely related genetically that cross pollination 

 is not effective. 



In relation to factors three and four it is significant that the use of 

 bouquets of beach plum blossoms brought from a distance resulted in a heavy 

 set of fruit on a group of bushes that had failed to produce a crop in 25 or 30 

 years although they had bloomed profusely every year. 



Fifth, weather conditions. In the ccsBiai areas the weather during the 

 blooming season is often cold, rainy and vdndy, Such weather not only reduces 

 insect activity and, thus, interferes mth pollination but also may interfere 

 with fertilization after pollination has taken place. 



Sixth, fertilization. It would seem that fertilization should benefit a 

 plant which grows in such poor soil as that where beach plums are usually found. 

 Fertilizer experiments are imder way. They indicate a possible increase in set 

 of fruit following heavj" nitrogen application. 



Seventh, diseases. There are several diseases which attack beach plums. 

 The worst is brown rot which also attacks cultivated plums, peaches and cherries. 

 This disease attacks both blossoms and fruit. Not infrequently it destroys 

 most or all of the crop. It can b© ooptrolled easily by spraying. Plum pockets, 

 a disease seldom found on other plums, can be quite destructive if not controlled 

 by spraying. 



Eighth, insects. Of the several insects which attack beach plums the plum 

 gouger and the plum curculio are the most serious. If not controlled by spraying, 

 these tvro can ruin a large proportion of a crop. 



Ninth, pruning. The most ioaediate benefit from pruning results from the 

 removal of very low branches which are partially covered by grass, leaves, etc. 

 This makes possible better spray coverage for the control of insects and diseases, 

 particularly brown roto 



Near East VJareham there is a small planting of beach plums vihich were set 

 out 2^ or 30 years ago. The bushes are all wild seedlings collected from various 

 places. This has assured adequate cross pollination. It is nearly surroxinded by 

 woods which act as a wind break and improve conditions for insect flight during 

 bloom. In this planting it has been possible to produce three heavy crops in 

 three years by fertilization, spraying and a very little pruning. The planting 

 as a v/hole h&b borne heavy crops in spite of the fact that certain bushes are 

 distinctly biennial. This shows that under proper conditions annual crops are 

 possible 



* 



-—John S, Bailey 

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