54 6 PLUMS. 



Americana group, in consequence of their greater hardiness, 

 are perhaps most desirable. The Myrobalan is extensively 

 used in the North. Marianna is used in the South, since it 

 grows readily from cuttings. The best stock for plums is a 

 confused subject. 



Grafting and Budding. Crown grafting is recommended by 

 some experimenters and growers. The scions should be cut in 

 the fall, three or four buds to each (see pages 30 and 31, for 

 direction for keeping through the winter). Put in the scions 

 early in the spring before there are any signs of the buds start- 

 ing. 



Budding must be performed while the stocks are at the 

 period of their most vigorous growth, provided sufficiently 

 matured buds can be found, which is usually soon after mid- 

 summer. If deferred, the bark will not peel freely, and the 

 buds will not adhere. 



CULTIVATION. 



Soil. The best soil, usually, is a strong, rich, clayey loam. 

 On many light soils the tree grows with less vigor, independ- 

 ently of which the crop is more frequently destroyed by the 

 curculio, a pervious soil affording a more ready place of 

 shelter for the young insects, on their escape from the fallen 

 fruit. A few varieties are well adapted to rather dry as well 

 as light lands. Applications of potash and ground bone, as 

 usual with other fruits, is of advantage in increasing the 

 fruitfulness of the plum. 



2 n planting orchards, a suitable distance is one rod apart, 

 giving one hundred and sixty trees to the acre. The ground 

 should be manured and kept well cultivated, as the plum, 

 especially when young, is sensitive to the effects of the weeds 

 and grass of neglected culture. 



Impotency. It is well known that some of the native varie- 

 ties are so deficient in fertile pollen, that they are almost in- 

 capable of fertilizing themselves. It is therefore advised that 

 all plantations of them be planted of two or more varieties, 

 alternating the rows. 



