TRUNING OF PLUMS. 47 



have plums for about five months on the table in some form 

 or other. 



As to cultivation in orchard-houses they do admirably, but 

 had better be placed out of doors about June or July, so as 

 to improve their flavor, except in cold climates far north. I 

 recommend the Early Prolific as far superior to the Early 

 Yellow, a French sort, which is early, but a shy bearer ; then 

 the Gages ; then Jefferson ; Reine Claude de Bavay, a stand- 

 ard of perfection ; the Quetche ; Coe's Late Red ; and Hu- 

 ling's Superb, for orchard-houses. But every one can choose, 

 and hardly go wrong, where the variety is so very great and 

 really good. 



5. FORMATION OF SPURS ON THE PLUM. FIRST WINTER S PRUNING. 



The plum, however, is a coarse feeder, and apt to be very 

 vigorous — too vigorous for fruitful purposes. It must, there- 

 fore, be kept in hand. The choice, and not too luxuriant 

 sorts, will suit the Diagonal Cordon ; while, for the Horizon- 

 tal, where there is plenty of room for lateral expansion, 

 select the more vigorous kinds. The plum, contrary to the 

 apricot, improves in flavor from a wall. The treatment of 

 the leaders is as directed for the others, with intervals of 

 twelve inches between them in every case. 



In FIG. 5 is seen the young shoot of the plum at the win- 

 ter's pruning. The top must be shortened in, as in the apri- 

 cot, by about one-third, keeping it to four inches long. The 



