ABOUT FRUITS, FLOWERS AND FARMING. 335 



of organizable matter in the tree is directed to the branches 

 that remain." 



Some of the western States are so much earlier than 

 t!i;ii of New York, that early June will be equivalent to the 

 time 1 specified by Downing. We have now fortified the 

 opinion which we heretofore expressed, by good authority, 

 and by what seems to us good reasons. As it is, however, 

 with some, yet a debated question, we shall carefully insert 

 the experience of any man for or against our position. 



PLUMS AND THEIR ENEMIES. 



MULTITUDES of men have had pliim-trees, and every year, 

 for ten years, have seen the fruit promise fair at first and 

 then prematurely drop, without knowing the reason. Even 

 well-informed men have said to us that it arose from some 

 defect in the tree, from too much gum, from a worm at the 

 root, etc. 



The plum-tree is very hardy; is less subject to disease 

 than most fruit-trees ; its fruit is highly prized ; and the 

 varieties of it are numerous and many of them delicious. 

 By a proper selection of trees a succession of fruit may be 

 had from July to November. The trees are usually sure 

 and enormous bearers, every year. With so many good 

 qualities the cultivation of the plum is well-nigh prohibited, 

 as a garden or orchard fruit, by the valor of one little bug 1 



The (luri'itlio (a very hardy fellow, with :i constitution 

 yet unimpaired by such a name as Rhynchc&nus Nenuphar I") 

 is a small beetle, about a quarter of an inch long, which 

 attacks the plums almost as soon as the fruit has set. They 

 seek this, and almost all smooth-skinned fruits, as a place ol 

 deposit for their eggs. Many of the facts which we >hall 



