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 Mani- 

 toba. 



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

 namely, the European, Japanese, and American. In the European or domestica 

 group are included most of the varieties which are grown in Ontario commer- 

 cially. 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 Ontario 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 Euro- 

 pean, 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 quality 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 North-west 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 well drained soils, although it does 

 best on the heavier clay loams. Trees one or two years of age should be planted 

 about eighteen feet apart each way, the soil liaving been thoroughly prepared be- 

 forehand. The trees should be severely headed back when planted, and future 

 pruning will consist in forming a well shaped open head. As some varieties make 

 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 recom- 

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

 it is well colored but still firm. 



Varieties Recommended. 

 General List, Approved by the Bo.\rd of Control, 

 Commercial and Domestic: 



American: These are extremely hardy and are, desirable where the European and 

 Japanese varieties cannot be grown: Aitkin, Cheney, Bixby, Mankato, Wolf, Hawkeye, 

 Stoddard. 



European: Bradshaw, Imperial Gage, Gueii, Shipper Pride. Lombard Cliable to 

 over bear, requires thinning), Quackenboss, Yellow Egg, Grand Duke, Coe, Reine 

 Claude (one of the best for canning). 



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

 June, Abundance, Burbank, Chabot, Satsuma (red fleshed, desirable for canning) 



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