140 Fruit-growing in Arid Regions 



inclination to bear only branch-buds on the thriftier new 

 wood. Like the apricot, the plums, with possibly a few 

 exceptions, develop no true terminal buds. Except on 

 weak spurs, the last axillary bud is generally a branch-bud 

 that continues the growth of the branch or spur the fol- 

 lowing season. The fruit-buds are developed in the axils 

 of the leaves on both spurs and on the ranker-growing new 

 wood, the different varieties showing considerable varia- 

 tion in this respect. 



The body of the plum tree is subject to injury from sun- 

 scald, and it goes without saying that the tree should be 

 headed low. The young trees of most varieties will need 

 cutting-back, and the tops thinned out, to develop them 

 into desirably shaped trees. Some varieties will require 

 pruning to spread them, and others, of a more straggling 

 habit, will need cutting-back to inside buds or branches 

 to make them grow more upright. 



As mentioned before, the bearing plum tree, according 

 to local custom, receives at most only moderate pruning. 

 As a rule, the Domestica plums, locally represented by 

 the various prunes, are pruned very little after they reach 

 the bearing age. There are certain varieties that tend to 

 overbear, however, and a certain amount of thinning-out 

 of the fruiting-wood would greatly facilitate hand thin- 

 ning, promote more regular bearing, and improve the 

 quality of the fruit. 



The pruning of the native plums is left largely to nature, 

 although there is no reason why moderate pruning might 

 not improve the quality of the fruit and lessen the diffi- 

 culty of picking. 



There is little doubt but that such varieties as the Bur- 



