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crops. The plum is really no more difficult to grow than corn, tobacco 

 or strawberries. There are a few principles which have to be under- 

 stood, and a few details which have to be carefully attended to; but 

 these requirements have to be met with every crop, in order to make 

 it a success. 



Soils. 



It has already been suggested above that the plum may be grown 

 on a variety of soils; indeed, plums of some sort may be grown on any 

 soil which will produce any kind of agricultural crop. The Japanese 

 varieties, though shortUved on sand, will thrive for a few years and 

 give excellent crops on even the lightest soils. The old-fashioned 

 Domestica varieties will do well on heavy clay. Some varieties will 

 even do well on wet land, though for other reasons it is not practicable 

 to plant plum orchards in swamp ground. It should be observed that 

 on heavy clay soils the old-fashioned European plums and Damsons 

 should be planted in preference to other varieties. On good gravelly 

 apple soils almost all kinds of plums can be growai with success. On 

 hght sandy soils the Japanese varieties should be preferred; and 

 they may be further adapted to these conditions by propagating 

 them on peach roots. 



This matter of propagation is very important in securing the greatest 

 success with plums, but not much can be said or done about it until 

 the nurserymen are in a position to supply plum trees propagated 

 on various kinds of roots. 



Starting the Plantation. 



In buying Japanese plum trees from the nursery, one-year-old trees 

 should always be selected; two-year-old trees are much harder to 

 manage. On the other hand, in buying European plums or Damsons, 

 two-year-old trees are to be preferred. This difference is quite im- 

 portant in both cases. 



In preparing plum trees for planting, it is the best practice to cut 

 them back rather severely. All long, straggling roots may be removed, 

 being cut back within six or eight inches of the main stem. All side 

 branches should be cut off from the top, and the main stem shorten(jd 

 in to a length not exceeding two feet. In many cases trees may be 

 headed still lower to advantage. Trees closely pruned in this manner 

 are easier to handle and to plant, and they make a better growth the 

 first year and form more symmetrical heads. 



In setting a block of plum trees, they may be placed from 10 to 15 

 feet apart each way. A distance of 10 by 10 feet is enough for smaller- 

 growing varieties, like Damsons and Italian Prune, especially if they 

 are to be kept closely headed in. A distance of 15 by 15 feet each 

 way may be required of vigorous-growing varieties on strong land. 

 The popular Japanese variety Burbank, which inclines to spread hori- 

 zontally, requires as much space as any. If this variety is properly 



