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revenue to the proprietors, but by superseding the importa- 

 tioji from abroad, strike one more link from the chain of de- 

 pendence on foreign nations. 



Varieties. Of the almonds there are a number of varie- 

 ties. Those generally cultivated for the table are the " Ladies' 

 Thin Shell," the " Sweet Sultan," the " Small Soft Shell,'' 

 and " Large Soft Shell." There are also the " Sweet Hard 

 Shell," and the " Bitter Almond." These two last are used for 

 other purposes. 



Of the almond there are also a number of varieties for 

 ornament only such as the Dwarf Double Flowering, and 

 the Tall Double Flowering the latter growing as large as a 

 Peach tree} also the Silvery Siberian, and the Oriental. 



PLUMS. 



The plum is not difficult in adapting itself to almost any 

 soil; indeed, it flourishes in every situation but in a clay, 

 marshy, or too sandy soil. A light rich soil is however pre- 

 ferable, and the same care is necessary as has been recom- 

 mended for fruit trees generally, in keeping the ground cul- 

 tivated around them when young; for although it is a com- 

 mon observation, that plum trees succeed best in a hard 

 trodden soil, and though such a situation may cause the trees 

 to retain their fruit, still it must be decidedly unfavourable 

 to their growth. Plums, apricots, and nectarines, are 

 smooth skinned fruit, and are in some parts of the United 

 States subject to be injured by a small bug called the cur- 

 culioj which slings the fruit, and causes it to drop before it 

 has attained its proper size. Their depredations may 

 be effectually prevented by paving round the trees as far 

 as the branches extend, as it has been incontestibly proved, 

 by frequent experiments made by the author and others, 

 that the curculio will not infest those trees where they 

 cannot find means of immediately concealing themselves 

 in the ground on dropping from the branches. Plum trees 

 are also subject to injury from another insect, which stings 

 the branches, and causes large protuberances to form on 

 them, which, if not cut off, produce a canker that in time 

 destroys the tree. 



There are a number of kinds, however, which are very 

 little subject to the attacks of this insect, and some which are 

 not at all so. Among these may be enumerated the Yellow 

 and Red Chicasaw, American Cherry, American Red and 



