244 



PEUNHTO. 



Section 5. — Pruxing and Management of the Plum. 



.The pium bears its fruit on spurs produced on wood 

 two years old and upwards, like the cherry (see fruit 

 branches). On young trees these spui-s are several years 

 in the process of formation ; but when they commence to 

 bear they endiu-e, if well managed, for many years. 

 They are generally furnithed with wood buds on their 

 lower parts ; and when they begin to grow feeble, they 

 ought to be renewed by cutting back. The plum is almost 

 universally grown as a standard, and the head may b^ 

 conducted in the same manner as described for the cherry 

 The branches should be mainly regulated by summer 

 pinching, to obviate the necessity of knife pnming, that 

 frequently gives rise to the gum. Some varieties of very 

 rapid growth j)roduce shoots three or four feet long in one 

 season ; and if not shortened back at the spring pruning, 

 the tree presents long naked branches in a short time. 



The chief difficulty in the way of conducting it as a 

 pyramid, is its great vigor ; but this can in a great mea- 

 sure be overcome by the use oi dwarfing stocks^ hjjpincTi- 

 ing and by root jpinming. 



The latter will be found a most efficient mode of keeping 

 the trees small and fruitful. AYe have had no experience 

 with the plum as a pyramid ; but Mr. Rivers says, that by 

 root pruning annually in October and November, he has 

 succeeded in making handsome pyramidal trees. Stand- 

 ards and dwarf standards may also be root pruned to 

 advantage in small gardens, and where it is desirable to 

 get them into early bearing. 



The plum may be ti'ained in any of the espalier forms 

 abeady described, -and in the same manner. 



