188 FRUIT TREES. 



THE PLUM. 



Soil. The soil most suitable for tlie plum is a rather 

 open calcareous clay. As the roots do not strike down- 

 wards to any extent, a great depth of earth is not re- 

 quired. Sandy or damp soils are wholly unsuitable. 



Choice of Trees. It is usual to purchase the plants 

 already grafted, but if it is preferred to graft after- 

 wards, the method is as follows : 



Grafting. The plum is grafted on stocks of the same 

 species, generally obtained from shoots or suckers, 

 which spring up in great numbers round the lower part 

 of trees whose roots have been wounded from whatever 

 cause. These shoots are planted out and then grafted. 

 This mode of cultivation is, however, objectionable. 

 We obtain in this way nothing but trees without proper 

 roots, which do not take good hold of the soil, and ex- 

 haust themselves by the suckers that they throw out in 

 great abundance ; besides, they will not stand any 

 degree of drought, and never acquire the dimensions 

 of large trees. It is much better to use stocks obtained 

 from plum stones, choosing from the most vigorous 

 varieties. 



The grafts a#e the same as recommended for the 

 pear, budding being generally preferred as the most 



