346 



PLUM. 



We are indebted to our neis^hliours, the French, 

 for the greater number of the domesticated sorts 

 now in cultivation, and which are about to be de- 

 scribed. 



The proper stocks for working them on, are the 

 common plum, and the Brussels stock ; the former 

 for dwarfs, and the latter for standards. 



The soil advised for the apricot is also suitable for 

 the plum ; indeed, the latter is not very nice as to 

 soil, provided it is neither sheer sand, nor over 

 strong loam or clay. In planting, the same parti- 

 culars advised for the apricot are to be observed. 



In training the plum, the fan method is the best, 

 especially on walls ; because as the best fruit are 

 produced on the young wood, an annual supply of 

 this should be laid in ; and which is easier done by 

 fan training, than in any other way. Some few may 

 be trained horizontally, but they will be noticed in 

 the descriptions. 



Standard plum trees require little or no pruning 

 after their first branches are thinned and fairly set 

 off. They will take their natural forms without 

 further assistance from the pruner. 



The sorts are arranged in the order of their ripen- 

 ing ; which is a point always to be regarded in writ- 

 ing a catalogue of fruits. 



1. Jaune Hative P, — Ripe from the middle to the 

 end of July. This is the early yellow of the French, 

 and the white primordian of the English gardens. 

 This fruit is chiefly valued for its earliness, being 

 the first to appear with the apricot. 



