THE PLUM. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



THE PLUM {PBUNUS DOME STIC us). 



ORIGIN — PROPAGATION — NURSERY TREATMENT — ORCHARD MAN- 

 AGEMENT—PRUNING — THINNING THE FRUIT — VARIETIES 



GATHERING — MARKETING — DISEASES AND INSECT PESTS. 



This is one of the most delicious and nutritions fruits and of 

 easy cultivation. In the value of its products it stands one of 

 the lowest. 



Origin. — The Plum is a native of Middle and Southern Europe, 

 where it is known as the prune, and is largely imported to this 

 country in a dried state and sold at five to twenty-five cents per 

 pound, according to quality. The tree is hardy, productive and 

 free from disease. 



Propagation. — Like the pear, the Plum is largely propagated 

 by budding upon imported stock. Strong growing varieties, such 

 as Myrobolan and St. Julien, are considered most desirable. If 

 seeds from strong natural seedlings can be obtained they produce 

 good stocks. The seed will be injured if exposed to the amount 

 of drying that the peach pit often receives, and is best planted in 

 the seed bed soon after gathering, although it will not germinate 

 until the following spring. 



Nursery Treatment.— The seedlings, either imported or 

 home grown, are transplanted to a deep, rich, moist soil in the 

 spring, and should be ready to biul in August. The treatment in 

 budding and training of the Plum is similar to that of the peach. 

 At two years from the bud, the Plum trees are ready to transplant 

 to the orchard. 



Orchard. — The Plum succeeds upon a variety of soils, but 

 gives the best results upon a deep, rich, moist loam. It is a tree 

 that will bear high cultivation without danger of disease or injury 

 from cold better, perhaps, than any of the large fruits, except pos- 

 sibly the apple. 



The varieties differ very much in size and habit of the growth 

 of the tree, and the distance for planting should vary from 12^ by 

 12^ feet, to 20 by 20 feet, according to the kind. The Green 

 Gage and other small kinds may be planted the former, wliile the 



