THE 



AMERICAN 



GARDENER'S MAGAZINE. 



MAY, 1836. 



ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 



Art, I. Observations on the Culture of the Plum, with some 

 Remarks upon the Insects inftstins; that Tree. By Messrs. C. 

 &f A. J, Downing, Botanic Garden and Nursery, Newburgh, 

 N. Y. 



The plum in some of its species, as the beach plum, (Prunus 

 littorahs) and the Chicasaw plum (P. chicasa) is indigenous to 

 many parts of the United States, but the fine cultivated varieties, 

 now so abundant in our gardens, have been produced from an eas- 

 tern species (Prunus domestica), probably first introduced into 

 Europe from Syria. 



The cultivation of the plum in the Middle and Eastern States is 

 exceedingly easy. The soil best adapted to that purpose is a 

 moderately strong, light and dry loam ; moist soils predisposing the 

 tree to disease, and rendering it unfruitful. Gravelly and stony 

 soils, though generally considered rather unsuitable, will be found 

 excellent if the trees are planted in orchards, and receive that care 

 in cultivation, peculiarly proper for such situations. 



The plum not requiring walls in this climate, but growing with 

 great luxuriance as an open standard tree, needs but little skill in 

 pruning ; the head of the tree should by no means, however, be 

 permitted to become crowded with branches, but by judicious 

 trimming, be kept open to the genial influence of the sun and air. 

 Pruning, in the plum, as in all other stone fruits, should be per- 

 formed while the branches are small, as the exudation of gum is 

 induced by lopping large limbs, and the wounds heal with difficulty. 

 To those persons who feel lost in the labyrinth of a modern cata- 

 logue of fruits, the following selection of plums, of first rate ex- 

 cellence, for a small garden, may not be unacceptable. 



VOL. II. NO. V. 21 



