PLUM-TREE. 



247 



life short. In favourable climates, it should always be cul- 

 tivated as a standard, and will then require only a little an- 

 nual labour about the roots, and the removal from the head 

 of dead or dying branches ; but, in northern latitudes, 

 and cold situations, the espalier form, (as practised near 

 Paris,) may be not only useful, but indispensable. This 

 differs in nothing from the ordinary mode, but in pruning 

 less severely. The cultivators at Montreuil, instead of 

 shortening the branches to three or four eyes, leave them 

 fifteen or twenty feet long, and lay them down in such a 

 way as shall soonest and most completely enable them to 

 cover the frame to which they are attached. 



" With regard to product, 'few and^/ie' is the general 

 maxim, The thinning discipline must not, therefore, be 

 omitted ; because it is that which will best fulfil both parts 

 of the rule." 



Diseases. — The gum and canker are the diseases most 

 common to plum-trees, for which, heading down is pre- 

 scribed as the best remedy. Plum-trees are also annoyed 

 by an insect, described, by Professor Peck, in the Mass, 

 Agr, Repository for 1819, and by him denominated Ryn- 

 chcenus cerasi. The insect causes tumors, or irregular, 

 black lumps, which deform the bark, and occasion the pre- 

 mature fall, not only of plums, but peaches and apricots. 

 " The evil," according to Professor Peck, " produced by this 

 insect, cannot be wholly remedied ; but something may be 

 done to diminish the mischief, by cutting off the diseased 

 branches." They should, according to his directions, be 

 cut off the last half of June, and burnt immediately. 



Mr. R. Toohey, gardener, of Waltham, Mass., recom- 

 mends the following composition for destroying insects, 

 which infest plum-trees : — 



" Take of tobacco-juice one gallon ; this may be had of 

 the tobacconists, or you may make it, by putting some to- 

 bacco in warm water, (not boiling, as that will take off a 

 great part of the oil;) oil of tar, one quart; train oil, one 

 quart ; soft soap, one and a half pound ; and a quarter of a 

 pound of soot. Beat the oils together first, and then the 

 soap and soot, till well united; then pour them all into the 

 tobacco-juice, stirring them gently together. When the 

 liquid is cold, it is fit for use. It should be applied with a 

 common paint-brush, in the latter end of March, or first of 

 April. 



"Previous to applying the mixture, I should recommena 

 pruning, and, when the trees are very much affected with 



