i5- 



The Canadian Horticulturist, 



in the same manner with the upper roots, tinning the eartli as 1 proceed, and keeping back 

 a little earth to cover loosely the top. This I keep loose all summer, hoeing it every ten 

 days or so. Some people think that there is no use of hoeing except to keep down weeds. 

 I hoe to keep the ground moist, and prevent it from becoming too dry. The following 

 spring I put a good coat of manure all around the tree over a space of three feet from it, 

 and keep it stirred and worked in with the hoe, so that it will rot, and that the rain will 

 cany it to the roots. If this process is continued three or four year, there is no danger of 

 bein" troubled much with the black knot, and a first class crop of fruit is almost sure. 

 We must feed our trees. The plum is a great bearer and will stand any quantity of 

 manure. I consider it the best paying of all fruit crops. 



Some people say that they have no room to plant. 1 have an eighth of an acre, a 

 house x 27, woodshed 24 x Hi, well and clothes drier, besides, and I grew $40 worth of 

 plums last year ; I have never failed in a crop. 1 have taken most of the prizes at our 

 fall shows the last fifteen years. Some of my T,ombard trees have been bearing fifteen 

 years and I have never failed in taking first prize with them. The Lombard is very much 

 subject to the black knot. Last winter 1 cut off' some large branches which were affected 

 with the knot and last summer young shoots grew out from accessory budds five or six feet 

 long and from one-half to three-quarters of an inch in thickness. This is my plan of renew- 

 ing my trees. 



Now, sir, I would like to see a man come into my yard and order me to cut down my 

 trees becruse he found a small batch of black knot here and there. Had such a thing 

 been done a year ago it would have cut $40 out of my pocket besides the prizes I got at out- 

 fall show. I think it would be better for the Association and the Government to teach the 

 people how to grow plums and renew their trees than it would be to destroy the trees. 

 The Lombard plum will take black knot, but what if it dods. it will bear $10 or $15 worth 

 of plums each year by renewing the wood as above. 



Thos. Holloway, Clinton, Out. 



Note by Editor. — The plan of planting plum trees and caring for them, as described 

 by our correspondent is excellent and should be followed by all who wish to succeed in 

 plum growing, and, while we do not agree with him that neglect causes black knot, there 

 is no doubt that neglected trees are more liable to take the disease than those which are 

 well cared for. 



THE SNOW DROP. 



The Snowdrop! the Snowdrop! 



The foremost of the train ; 

 The snowdrop ! the snowdrop ! 



Who's lustre bears no stain. 

 In modest beauty peerless 



It shows its little bell ; 

 Through frost and snow so cheer- 

 less, 



Of sunny days to tell 



j. w. 



Toronto, 



March 16th, 1S02. 



