LUTHER BURBANK 



able that the leaves should hang over the fruit to 

 protect it from the weather and from birds. With 

 the plum this is not so necessary. Still the ques- 

 tion of foliage should always be considered. Other 

 things being equal, seedlings should be selected 

 that show large, thick leaves. 



BLOSSOMS AND FRUITING 



It is almost axiomatic to say that plum seed- 

 lings should bear perfect blossoms in reasonable 

 abundance. 



The blossoms should be borne on the larger 

 wood of the tree rather than on the tips, because 

 the fruit is held better where it has the support of 

 the older wood. Moreover, if the fruit is borne at 

 the tips of the branches, these are brought too near 

 the ground. 



The time of flowering should be given careful 

 consideration in connection with the climate 

 where your orchard is located. Many fruit trees 

 bloom so early that in mild climates the late spring 

 frosts injure them. In general, late-blossoming 

 trees have an important advantage. 



It should be understood that a tree that 

 blossoms late usually matures its fruit early, 

 whereas one that blossoms early will usually bear 

 late fruit. This is, of course, precisely the reverse 

 of what might be expected, unless we bear in mind 

 the reasons for the difference. A moment's re- 



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