I03 



at good prices. It is far from the easiest fruit to grow to 

 perfection, as it is subject to evils which often prove very- 

 serious. While the pear does well with the most indiffer- 

 ent cultivation, the plum must receive careful attention 

 at critical periods, in order to prove satisfactory. There 

 is some compensation for this difference however, in the 

 relative values of the two fruits, for whereas it is frequent- 

 ly hard to dispose of pears at fifty cents per bushel, good 

 plums are worth two to three dollars a bushel. 



SOIL. 



One of the first matters to be considered in connection 

 with plum culture is that of soil. Good results may be 

 expected upon any good, rich loam, that has been well- 

 cultivated ; but this fruit prefers rather heavy ground, that 

 is moist and bordering on a clay. Of course it is under- 

 stood the soil devoted to orcharding should in all cases have 

 good drainage, either natural or artificial, since no tree 

 will do its best with its feet (roots) perpetually wet. The 

 piece of land, which is to produce plums had best be cul- 

 tivated thoroughly in hoed crops, like corn and potatoes, 

 for at least a couple of years previous to setting the young 

 trees. By following this method the soil becomes mellow 

 by frequent tillage, and rich through several applications 

 of manure or fertilizer. It should be plowed finally to a 

 good depth just before setting the trees. 



VARIETIES AND TIME OF PLANTING. 



We have the European and Japanese varieties of plums. 

 The latter have been planted in this section of country only 

 a few years. However they appear to be most promising, 

 since they are of extra vigorous growth, enormous yielders of 

 fine fruit, and comparatively little troubled by the curculio. 

 Six Japanese trees (Abundance) we planted last fall, 

 have all made a fine growth for one season, many shoots 



