116 TREATISE ON FRUIT TREES. 



Since they dislike being sheltered, even by an espalier wall, they strive to escape it & to 

 put out vigorous shoots in the open. Likewise for a young tree, until the time that its fruit 

 production reduces its energy, it's necessary to cut back hard the previously pruned 

 medium-sized branches and to let it fill out with small, even useless ones, to nip few 

 buds, and to slant the bigger shoots. In a word, to be satisfied with keeping it from 

 becoming cluttered. When it has taken shape & it's fully productive, it can be treated 

 according to its strength & its condition. 



5°. Instead of pulling up an old plum tree whose branches are mostly dead or worn 

 out, if the trunk is healthy one can try to rejuvenate it. All of the branches are cut back to 

 the trunk, or the trunk itself is sawed off four or five inches above the graft. Normally it 

 will re-grow branches suitable for its renewal & will form a fine tree in a short time. 

 However at the same time one ought to have a substitute ready to replace it in case it 

 doesn't re-grow. 



USES. 



The different kinds of plums ripen in succession from the beginning of July until 

 the end of October. Several are eaten fresh; almost all of them are very good in compotes. 

 Some are suitable for making prunes, others are preserved whole, with or without the pit. 



A delicious marmalade is made from the Dauphine, but it needs to be seasoned. So plums 

 prepared in different ways in the pantry are served at the table all year long. 



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