114 Notes and Gleanings. 



ILLINOIS STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



LUCIUS C. FRAN'CIS ON THE PLUM. 

 [Reported for " Tiltoii's Journal of Horticulture and Floral Companion " by O. L. Barler.] 



The Illinois State Horticultural Society has just closed one of the most in- 

 teresting and instructive meetings ever held by that association. 



On the second day, L. C. Francis of Springfield read an interesting paper 

 on the plum. He described three species of plums indigenous to this country : 

 first, the Chickasaw ; second, AVild Red or Yellow Plum ; third, the Beach, or 

 Sand Plum. 



The plum \?, propagated by seed, budding, or grafting. 



The trees are fit Xo plant the first or second year from the bud or graft. A 

 moderately rich soil is probably the best ; though there are some varieties (the 

 Diapre Rouge for one) that will literally bear themselves to death on a rich soil. 

 He thought fifteen feet apart was a proper distance to plant a plum-orchard : 

 though some varieties, like the Diapre Rouge, would be better accommodated 

 with eighteen or twenty feet ; and others, again, like the Duane's Purple, really 

 need but ten or twelve feet. 



The varieties which he had grown were the following ; — 



thirst, the Diapre Rouge. He had fruited it for ten years ; finds that it pos- 

 sesses more good qualities than any variety with which he is acquainted, though 

 not as rich a plum as some. It is a prodigious bearer of very large, handsome 

 fruit of good quality. It requires thinning. Is hardy, and grows thriftily upon 

 our rich j^rairie soil. He procured it of Dr. Kennicott, with high recommenda- 

 tions of its quahties ; and has never regretted it. 



Duane^s Purple is a more showy plum, and brings a higher price in the mar- 

 ket. It bears well ; but the fruit is apt to rot. It has this advantage, — the tree 

 needs no propping. 



The Imperial Gage is a sweeter plum than either of the others ; tree not so 

 hardy, and needs poorer soil than that on which he has grown it. 



Smith 'j Orleans has not done well. 



German Prufte has proved tender, but fruit number one for flavor. 



Among other varieties, he was particularly pleased with the jVectarine Yellow 



Egg- 



Yi& primes but little, and that while young, starting the head three I'eet from 

 the ground ; cultivates the same as for apples. In rich soil, practises sowing 

 oats to check the growth, and bring them into good condition for wintering. 



There are but two or three diseases to which the plum is liable ; one of 

 which is the black-wart, not often met with in the West. The remedy : Cut off 

 the affected limbs, and burn them. 



The {rvi\\.-rot is occasionally troublesome. Thinning the fruit so that tliey 

 may nov touch each other is a partial remedy. 



Winter-Killing. — The remedy is to check the growth, and ripen up the wood 

 early in the season. Screens of evergreens or deciduous trees would be bene- 

 ficial. 



Insects. — A borer, the same as attacks the peach, is injuring the plum-trees. 



