OF PLUMS. 25 



On pruning and restoring old and decayed Plum-Trees, 



I have restored plum-trees, some of which were 

 so far decayed as to have only from one to two or 

 three inches of bark left ; they are now com- 

 pletely filled up with sound wood, with large 

 heads, which at four years growth filled a wall 

 sixteen feet high, and are at this time full of 

 fine fruit ; some of the stems are several inches 

 in circumference, bearing treble the crops pro- 

 duced by young trees that have been planted 

 three times as long as they have been headed 

 down. 



Where the trunks are become hollow, I always 

 cut out all the loose rotten parts, and also examine 

 the roots, cutting off what is rotten, injured, or 

 decayed. This method should be pursued with 

 all hollow and decayed trees ; and, if properly 

 executed, they may be so completely filled up, as 

 scarcely to leave a mark behind, even where the 

 wood is totally decayed. 



I have had shoots from plum-trees which have 

 been headed, that have grown upwards of seven 

 feet long, and as large as a walking-stick, in one 

 summer ; this should never be suffered ; but they 

 should be pinched off with the finger and thumb, 

 in the beginning of June, close to an eye or a 

 bud ; unless the wall be filled to the top ; in 

 which case they should never be cut while they 

 continue to bear handsome fruit. Before they 

 begin to cease from bearing, you must always 



