PLUM TREE. 



187 



must be shortened to about two-thirds of 

 their length, and in every future year until 

 the tree comes to a bearing condition, this 

 method of pruning back the shoots at winter 

 pruning must be attended to. But when 

 the tree has become productive, all shoots 

 but the leading ones must be shortened both 

 in summer and winter pruning, as directed 

 for wall trees. The leading shoots must be 

 allowed to grow at full length during sum- 

 mer, and at winter pruning be left about 

 one-third of their length. Always retain all 

 short lateral fruit spurs. 



In introducing the tree into the forcing 

 house, it should not be brought suddenly 

 into a high temperature, but as gradually as 

 circumstances will admit. If the tree be 

 placed upon a warm flue, it must always be 

 set in a saucer wherein a little water should 

 generally be kept. Let the tree be regu- 

 larly attended to with water, so that the soil 

 never becomes too dry, as that would cause 

 the bloom or fruit to drop off. Let manure 

 water be given to the roots every third time 

 of watering. Attention must be given to 

 sprinkling water over the top of the tree 

 once or twice before the opening of the blos- 

 som, but it must be desisted from as soon as 

 the blossom opens, and be applied again 

 when the fruit is set. ( See Chapter on wa- 

 tering the tops of fruit trees.) 



Plums are also forced in a house designed 



