316 



CALIFORNIA FRUITS: HOW TO GROW THEM 



observation and experience. Some plums, like the Silver prune, 

 have something of the growth habit of the peach, and this is also 

 very true of some of the Japanese varieties. Cutting back in winter 

 and pinching in summer are both useful facts in securing lower 

 branching and low-growing fruit spurs. 



Pruning after first summer's 

 growth in orchard. 



Growth during second summer 

 in orchard. 



Grafting the Plum. The plum has been grafted and regrafted 

 in the constant effort to secure varieties promising superiority in 

 various directions. Within the scope of their affinities plums graft 

 easily by common top-grafting methods, and if the roots are strong 

 the new growth is so rapid as to need special attention. Mr. 

 Luther Bowers gives these hints about pruning such growths : 

 "From practical experience I have found out that the Sugar prune 

 wood should only be summer pruned and only cut while the shoots 

 are tender, or so soft that the top can be pinched out; this will 

 cause the top to be well branched and this should be done at least 

 twice during the first year of the graft. This system will avoid 

 long, slender limbs. After a graft is two years old I would never 

 cut the top off of a limb. If a tree gets too thick a top, I would 

 cut out some of the main branches." 



