THE PLUM. 895 



branches while they are yet soft and tender, yet it is not to the curculio, 

 but to some other insect or cause that we owe this unsightly disease. 



Practically, however, this is of little account. The experience of 

 many persons, besides ourselves, has proved most satisfactorily that it is 

 easy to extirpate this malady, if it is taken in season and unremittingly 

 pursued. As early as possible in spring the whole of the infected trees 

 should be examined, and every branch and twig that shows a tumor 

 should be cut off and immediately burned. Whatever may be the in- 

 sect, we thus destroy it, and, as experience has taught us that the 

 malady spreads rapidly, we will thus effectually prevent its increase. If 

 the trees are considerably attacked by it, it will probably be necessary 

 to go over them again about the middle of May, but, usually, once a 

 year will be sufficient. If any of the trees are very much covered with 

 these knots, it is better to head back the shoots severely, or dig them 

 up and burn them outright, and it will be necessary to prevail upon 

 your neighbors, if they are near ones, to enter into the plan, or your 

 own labors will be of little value. Pursue this simple and straightfor- 

 ward practice for two or three seasons (covering any large wounds 

 made with the solution of gum shellac), and the knots will be found to 

 disappear, the curculio to the contrary notwithstanding. 



VARIETIES. There are now a pretty large number of fine plums, 

 and some most important additions have been made by the seedlings 

 raised in this country. The Green Gage still stands at the head of the 

 list for high flavor, though several other sorts are nearly or quite equal 

 to it. The Washington, the Jefferson, and the Madison are among 

 the largest and most beautiful ; and Coe's Golden Drop and Heine 

 Claude de Bavay are very desirable for their late maturity. 



In describing Plums, the surface of the young wood, when just 

 ripened, is an important character ; as it is smooth in some varieties, 

 and downy, or covered with soft hairs, in others. In some varieties 

 the flesh parts from the stone, while in others it adheres. And, finally, 

 the depressed line or channel which runs down one side of the exterior 

 surface of the plum is called the suture, and the prominence or absence 

 of this feature enables us to distinguish many kinds at first sight. 



VARIETIES. 



ABRICOT^E DE BRAUNAU. 



Branches smooth. 



Fruit large, roundish, inclining to oval, rather flattened on the 

 sides, and marked with a suture which is deep towards the stalk, and 

 higher on one side than the other. Skin whitish green, covered with a 

 thick white bloom on the shaded side, and reddish, with some spots of 

 a deeper red on the side next the sun. Stalk an inch long, thick. 

 Flesh yellow, firm, juicy, sweet, sugary, and rich flavored, separating 

 from the stone. Ripe middle of September. (Hogg.) 



ALBANY BEAUTY. 

 Denniston's Albany Beauty. 



Originated with Isaac Denniston, Albany, N. Y. Tree moderately 

 vigorous. Branches smooth. 



