Pie- Plant. — How to save Plums. 157 



Thus we have examined in detail one order of plants out of about two 

 hundred and fifty, which embrace all the species of the world. And we 

 see that to understand the structure of the order is almost to understand 

 that of every plant in it. But it is not necessary for even a good botanist 

 to understand every order as well as you now do this. The plants of 

 the Northern United States are contained in but a hundred and forty-three 

 orders, and so unequally distributed among them, that half our flowering- 

 plants are found in ten of them. Well, it is some consolation to have fin- 

 ished off, after a sort, one-tenth of all the vegetable creation. But we 

 must remember that there is no other tenth that could be learned with 

 twice the labor, were it not that each acquisition makes the next more easy. 



South Malden, Mass. -^ P- Holton. 



RHUBARB, OR PIE-PLANT. 



This should be transplanted every two or three years, or the stalks pro- 

 duced will be quite small. The work may be done at almost any season 

 of the year ; for it will bear almost any kind of treatment. It is better 

 to do the work in spring, before the plants have started much ; but if not, 

 then any time until the first or middle of June. Some growers are in the 

 habit of pulling the rhubarb for market ; and, after the crop is secured, then 

 transplant for the next year. One of the best growers of this plant that 

 we ever knew would never allow this course to be pursued. This plant 

 must have a very large amount of manure to give the very best results. 



HOW SHALL I SAVE MY PLUMS? 



This question is often asked by those who have been disappointed in 

 their plum-crop year after year. The best way we know of is to shake the 

 tree every morning for two or three weeks after the fruit is set, and so catch 

 and destroy the wicked fellows. The next best plan is to dust the tree 

 and fruit thoroughly with air-slacked lime or ashes, and renew as often 

 as it is washed off. Either of these plans, if properly carried out, will 

 insure a crop of fruit. 



