THE PLUM. 



221 



that nightmare called " glutted markets," I would just point out 

 that one cause of glutted markets is to be found in the fact that 

 planters have confined themselves too much to one or two 

 varieties of plums. In the Midlands and South of Scotland I 

 should say that ninety Victorias are planted as against ten of 

 any other variety, with the result that the fruit often makes a 

 poor price, whilst a week or so before and after Victorias are in 

 the market, plums sell well. Again much may be done to 

 improve the quality of the fruit grown, both by thinning, as 

 already mentioned, and also by feeding the trees, when they have 

 a full crop, with mulchings of manure. I would suggest also the 

 feasibility of establishing, close to the fruit-grounds, jam-making 

 factories (either by individual or co-operative enterprise), where, 

 favoured with our cheap sugar, the surplus fruit could be utilised 

 and subsequently sold at a profit, instead of being rushed off to 

 London and sold at such a price as will not cover cost of trans- 

 port and agents' commission. These factories have been 

 successfully established in many districts, and will doubtless 

 extend in course of time. Fruit-pulp is also made and sold by 

 auction. In March last, at Lenham, near Maidstone, amongst 

 other prices realised, damson pulp made 40s. a ton, Victoria plum 

 up to 87s. 6d., greengage 50s., raspberry £19, and black currant 

 £45. 



In giving a few descriptions of plums and their habits, it must 

 of course be understood that I speak of them as they demean 

 themselves in the Midlands, for some varieties which fail with 

 us are most valuable in the more favoured Southern counties. 

 It would be out of place to attempt a catalogue, and I shall only 

 mention briefly our leading varieties. The heaviest croppers 

 and those most usually selected for market planting are 

 Rivers' Early Prolific, The Czar, Victoria, Diamond, Prince 

 Englebert, and Monarch. Rivers' Early is perhaps the most 

 profitable of any plum (where it will succeed), from the fact of 

 its early season, and also that there are so many soils and 

 situations where it is quite useless to plant it. The other varieties 

 named are all heavy bearers, and will flourish in almost any 

 soil. In addition to these, Caledonian or Goliath, Mrs. Gisborne, 

 Pond's Seedling, and Sultan are all reliable culinary varieties, 

 succeeding well as standards. Orleans and Cox's Emperor are 

 heavy bearers, but liable to crack in wet seasons ; they do best 



