THE PLUM 



The plum has a wider range over the Province of Ontario than the pear or peach, 

 this fruit being a native of the Province and found as far north as Manitoba. 



There are three large groups into which the plums may be divided here, namely, 

 the European, Japanese, and American. In the European or domestic group are in- 

 cluded most of the varieties which are grown in Ontario commercially. These plums 

 are not as hardy as the natives, hence their profitable culture is limited to almost exactly 

 the same districts as the pear, the commercial orchards being mostly found in southern 

 Ontario, the Georgian Bay District, and along Lake Ontario west of the Bay of Quinte. 

 A few of the hardiest produce crops occasionally in eastern Ontaria and up to about 

 latitude 45 degrees in central Ontario, but they are too uncertain to be grown for profit. 



The Japanese plums are grown over practically the same area as the European, but 

 the fruit buds average a little more tender. 



In the American group are included the Americana and Nigra plums, the former 

 being derived from a hardy United States species and the latter from the native Canadian 

 plum. The varieties of this group are quite hardy and can be grown commercially 

 where the European and Japanese plums will not' succeed, and while not so good in 

 quailty as the others good prices are at present obtained for what are produced. 



Plums are not being so extensively planted at present as other large fruits, since 

 during recent years the markets have several times been glutted, resulting in low 

 prices. The demand for plums is, however, always large, and the excellent market 

 which is opening up in the Northwest will probably in the future prevent, in a great 

 measure, this over supply. 



The cultural directions for the apple, will apply in most particulars to the plum, 

 which will succeed on almost all kinds of \tell-drained soils, although it does best on 

 the heavier clay loams. .?%Trees onlNir two/yeaVs of age should be planted about eighteen 

 feet apart each way, the soil having been thoroughly prepared beforehand. The trees 

 should be severely headed back when planted, an-d tuture pruning will consist in form- 

 ing a well-shaped open head. As some varieties makfe exceptionally strong growth it is 

 a good practice when the trees are young to prune the young growth back about one- 

 half each spring to avoid splitting. When the trees begin to bear little pruning is 

 necessary, as they usually bear so heavily that the trees do not make much growth 

 annually. 



Orchards should be kept thoroughly cultivated, and cover crops are recommended 

 as for the apple, cherry, peach and pear. The fruit should be picked when it is well 

 colored but still firm. 



VARIETIES RECOMMENDED. 



General Lists, approved ~by the Board of Control. 



Americana: These are extremely hardy and desirable where the European and 

 Japanese varieties cannot be grown. Aitken, Cheney, Bixby, Mankato, Wolf, Hawkeye, 

 Stoddard. 



European: Bradshaw, Imperial Gage, Gueii, Shippers' Pride, Lombard (liable to over- 

 bear, requires thinning), Quackenboss, Yellow Egg, Grand Duke, Golden Drop (Coe), 

 Reine Claude (one of the best for canning). 



Japanese: These are apparently quite as hardy as the European varieties: Red June, 

 Abundance, Burbank, Climax. 



DISTRICT LISTS. 

 NIAGARA DISTRICT 



(Including Niagara Peninsula from the Niagara River to Hamilton and north to the 



escarpment.) 



Robt. Thompson St. Catharines. 



Red June, Climax, Shiro, Burbank, Arctic, German Prune, Shropshire Damson, Grand 

 Duke, Monarch, Reine Claude. 



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