FRUIT DEPARTMENT. 
31 
PLUMS. 
The Plum tree attains its greatest perfection on our heavy soil, having always been 
perfectly free from " black knot" or other disease. 
Trees growing in grass and culture neglected, are liable to this "black knot ;" good, 
thorough, clean cultivation, keeping the trees constantly in a thrifty growing state is 
almost a sure preventative. 
As for the curculio, we find no difficulty in protecting the crop from it, by merely 
employing a little extra labor. 
From experience we recommend the following plan as the best yet discovered. We 
proceed as follows: Procuring cotton cloth enough to spread beneath the trees as far 
as the branches extend, and sewing it together in a square form, with light stretchers 
attached to two opposite sides for the convenience of handling, and a slit to the centre 
to admit the trunk of the tree. As soon as the insect has made its appearance, we place 
it beneath the tree and jar suddenly each limb with the hand, causing the little rebels 
to come down, then with the thumb and finger quickly dispatch them. We have always 
caught the most curculios about 8 or 9 o'clock A. M., and from 3 to 4 P. M., continuing 
to shake the tree twice a day until the fruit has attained full half its size. All fallen 
fruit should be carefully gathered up daily and destroyed. A person one-half hour each 
day faithfully employed will care for a dozen trees, and insure an abundant crop of this 
excellent fruit. 
We offer a limited list of varieties, as we wish to send out only such as we consider 
well worthy the care necessary to secure satisfactory results: 
Glastonbury. — Largest size; skin a reddish purple; flesh yellow, rich, sweet and 
melting; stone small. Tree a strong, erect grower, and wonderfully prolific. New and 
valuable. First of September. 
Giiii. — Very large; dark purple; hardy and productive; becoming very popular in 
the plum growing region on the Hudson River. Ripens last of September. 
German Prune. — A large, long, oval variety, much esteemed for drying; color 
dark purple; of a very agreeable flavor. September. 
General Hand. — Fruit very large, roundish oval; skin deep yellow; flesh coarse, 
sweet and pleasant. Tree vigorous and productive. First of September. 
Imperial Gage. — Fruit large, oval; skin pale green, flesh juicy, sweet, rich and 
excellent. Tree very vigorous and productive. Middle of August. 
Lombard. — Fruit medium size, roundish oval; skin violet red; flesh yellow; juicy 
and pleasant. Tree very vigorous, hardy and productive. Last of August, 
Miner. — An improved variety of the Wild or Chickasaw Plum; not subject to the 
attacks of the curculio like the common sorts. Fruit medium size; skin dark purplish 
red, with a fine bloom; flesh soft, juicy, and of good quality; adheres to the stone. 
First of October. 
