PLUMS IN RELATION TO PRUNING £ 
been the intention to record the varietal characteristics of growth and 
production which should influence the pruning practice, and to in- 
dicate some of the effects of pruning and of natural conditions on 
the behavior of the tree. It is not the intention to give a detailed 
pruning method for each different variety, but rather to point out the 
important differences in the habits of varieties and to guide and en- 
courage the grower in the study of his trees. It has not been the aim 
to include the general subject of plum culture, but rather to note 
the behavior of the tree; not to suggest changes in treatment or to 
point out faults in environment, but to observe the general results 
of these things. The purpose has been that of a variety study rather 
than a pruning experiment — an inquiry into the peculiar habits of 
growth and production of trees of different varieties, rather than to 
apply a peculiar pruning practice or cultural treatment and observe 
the reaction. The object has been to observe the response of the dif- 
ferent varieties to the type, variations, and severity of pruning prac- 
ticed by. different orchardists and under different soil and climatic 
environment, for the purpose of learning the fundamental character- 
istics of the variety and what the variety wishes to do and how it 
wishes to grow, rather than to show the benefits of certain pruning 
treatments or to test its ability to withstand them. Trees of some va- 
rieties make an upright and compact growth and those of others open 
and spreading. Some bear their fruit on spurs and others on twigs 
which grew the previous season. Some retain their spurs longer than 
others, and some are more inclined than others to replace spurs which 
have been broken off. These and many other tendencies which may be 
found by studying the commonly grown varieties of plums are all 
readily influenced, although to a varying degree, by the local environ- 
ment and cultural treatment. 
It is necessary to have a thorough knowledge of the tendencies 
of a variety in order to decide upon the peculiar phase of a pruning 
method best suited for it. By carefully observing trees of different 
varieties and their growth in different sections and noting their 
response to the pruning treatment given by different orchardists, 
many varietal traits which should have a bearing on the type of 
pruning given them may be readily seen. The general understand- 
ing of the effect of different growing conditions and treatments on 
a variety gives a true idea of its habits and tendencies and therefore 
provides a reliable foundation on which a pruning practice may be 
based. A thorough knowledge of the tendencies of a variety is in- 
dispensable to the adoption of a wise pruning method. It is also 
of importance in choosing varieties for an orchard and in plum 
breeding. An arbitrary and restricted pruning practice, if applied 
to more than one of the small groups of varieties which are similar 
in their performance, can but oppose the development of some 
varieties. 
To maintain thrifty, vigorous trees which produce good and reg- 
ular crops of large-sized fruit — all highly desirable if not essential 
to profitable plum-growing — it is important that the grower acquire 
an accurate knowledge of the characteristic habits of his trees so that 
he may cooperate with them rather than oppose some or many of 
them by giving all the same priming treatment. Regular, although 
moderate, opposition to the tree in pruning may be said to throw 
