74 KRUIT FARMING 



CHAPTER VII. 



PLUMS. 



Plums are, after Apples, the next most important 

 crop. As these so soon produce a return, they are 

 planted in great numbers year by year. No doubt 

 fancy prices which the last generation made may 

 not again be reached, but a fair margin of profit will 

 be left. Plums can be planted as close as 15-ft. 

 apart, therefore a plantation soon pays expenses ; and 

 when Damsons are included, the return is reached in 

 a few years. Standards are largely grown, but Half- 

 standards find increasing favour, and where the 

 plantation form is adopted, they form a good shelter 

 in the earlier stages, and the stems can be run up by 

 removing the lower branches. We append a list of 

 almost certain cropping kinds, with a short description 

 of each variety. 



PLUMS FOR PROFIT. 



1. Rivers' Prolific — The best early kind; seldom 

 fails to produce. It is a weak grower, and never 

 makes a big tree ; perhaps better as a plantation 

 kind, but there is nothing yet equal to it as a first 

 early sort. Fruit small, purple End July. 



2. The Oar — Early, bearing in clusters, and carrying 

 a fine bloom ; a very free i;rower. Fruit purplish red, 

 round. Makes a line upright tree, and on tliat account 

 valuable lor plantatidiis, as it does not obstruct the 

 sun; succeeds wluTe others lail. Mid-.Vugust. 



