THE PLUM. 



Ths plum is a native of this country, and is to be "oand in groat 

 variety, growing wild in many parts of the United States. It is 

 naturally a prolific bearer, producing most generous crops of red 

 and golden fruit, and has been as much improved by scientific 

 propagation and culture as any other fruit. It can be cultivated 

 with much success in a great variety of soils and climates, but of 

 late years has been much neglected, in consequence of the ravages 

 of the curculio — that arch destroyer of all the smooth-skinned 

 fruits. In many instances cultivators have cut down their trees, 

 and given it up in despair, while thousands of others, when plant- 

 ing, have neglected to plant the plum altogether, and devoted their 

 grounds to other fruits. This is wrong ; for if only partial crops 

 can be occasionally secured, it wiH repay the labor and expense, 

 and then many experimenters have an abiding faith that the ravages 

 of this great enemy wiU yet be arrested. 



Let every owner of an orchard or garden, however small, plant 

 at least a few of the best sorts, and our opinion is, that an enlight- 

 ened and liberal culture, with a vigilant lookout for the first appear- 

 ance of the enemy, will produce its reward in time. 



Plums are generally thought to do best in strong, clayey soils— 

 but they thrive in a great variety of soils. Plant in any good soil ; 

 but wherever that may be, be sure that it is well drained, and that 

 the tree is liberally supplied with its necessary and proi)er food. 



Animal manures and salt are regarded as the best for that pur- 

 pose. These should be applied early in the spring, in the Middle 

 States. Sow a half peck or so of salt under each tree, covering 

 the ground to such a distance as the roots extend. 



