HOCKINGS GARDEN MANUAL. 



125 



keeping it well skimmed; ferment it in an open tub for 

 three days, and cask it. 



THE PLUM— (Prunus Domestical 



The plum has not hitherto been productive in the 

 Brisbane district, and there are very few instances of 

 seedlings being raised, as, in consequence of the im- 

 ported fruit being gathered before it is mature, the 

 seed does not grow. The first step towards obtaining 

 acclimatized sorts would probably be the introduction 

 from the south of Italy of the best varieties which 

 thrive there, and a few also from the Southern States 

 of America. The Newman and Wildgoose plums, 

 lately introduced from the latter country, promise to 

 be fruitful here. 



In our local nurseries the kinds most esteemed by 

 English and French growers are also now to be found. 



The directions given in the article on the peach will 

 apply to the general treatment of the plum. 



The blossoms appear on small fruit spurs in most of 

 the varieties of the plum, and these spurs will, there- 

 fore, require a little care and attention. In pruning, 

 the straggling and over-crowded branches should be re- 

 moved or shortened. 



If the land is poor, apply animal manures, and a 

 surface dressing of salt around the tree to the outside 

 limit of its foliage, to the extent of half a peck, is 

 recommended to be applied every spring. Lime is also 

 a good special manure. 



THE POMEGRANATE— (Punica Granatum). 



The pomegranate is highly esteemed in the East, 

 where it attains a great age. It is an ornamental 

 shrub of great merit, and, on account of the beauty of 

 its foliage, relieved by the brilliant flowers and hand- 

 some fruit, deserves a place in all large gardens. 



