THE PLUM. 167 



of trees that are growing vigorously. It must not be 

 regarded as a remedy for unfruitfulness due to other 

 causes. The best time to lift and root-prune is in October. 



General Cultural Details. The chief points to observe, 

 in addition to these previously dealt with, are to keep all 

 suckers removed, tracing them to their source, and cutting 

 them off close to the root. Trees grown in dry borders 

 against walls should have a wide mulching of manure 

 placed at their base in early summer, and copious water- 

 ings given in very dry weather. Artificial and liquid 

 manures will also be beneficial to trees in good health and 

 bearing freely. See chapter on the subject further on. 

 Wall trees are also benefited by having their foliage 

 syringed every evening with water in hot, dry weather. 



Cordons and other trees grown on walls and fences and 

 heavily laden with fruit should have the latter freely 

 thinned out in an early stage of its development. Even 

 half-standards, bushes, and pyramids often yield a large 

 crop, and would be benefited by thinning. If trees are 

 allowed to carry too heavy a crop the fruit cannot attain 

 its normal size, nor will its flavour be properly developed. 

 Besides, the strain on the resources of a heavily-cropped 

 tree? often cripples its future growth, and prevents it fruit- 

 ing the next season. Thin out early, and be content with 

 a moderate crop of well-developed fruit. (Figs. 67 and 68.) 



Early Plums should be protected when in blossom in 

 the manner advised for Apricots, which see. 



Gathering and Storing the Fruit. The exact time to 

 gather each variety can only be determined by experience. 

 To get the full and true flavour the fruit should be allowed 

 to remain on the tree as long as possible. For dessert 

 purposes use a pair of grape scissors to sever the stalk, 

 or take hold of the stalk with the finger and thumb and 

 pull the latter from the branch. Always gather the fruit 

 when dry. 



Such kinds as Coe's Golden Drop and Ickworth Im- 

 peratrice, if not gathered till quite ripe, then wrapped in 



