THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
257 
PLUMS FOR SMALL GARDENS. 
(With a Coloured Plate.) 
BY JOHN SCOTT, 
Jlcvriott Nurseries, Crewkerne, Somerset. 
HE plum may be justly considered one of the most useful 
of culinary and dessert fruits that could be grown in 
small gardens, for it may be most successfully cultivated 
in the open quarters as well as when trained against 
walls ; and in the southern and midland counties it is by 
no means particular as to aspect. It is also very accommodating 
as to the manner in which it is trained, and the majority of the 
varieties may be grown as bushes, pyramids, espaliers, and standard 
trees. For small gardens the bush and pyramidal form of training 
is the best when the trees areaway from the walls, and those against 
walls shonld be trained with their main branches extending equally 
in all directions in much the same manner as the ribs of a lady’s 
fan. To some readers of the Flobal World it may appear too 
early to speak of planting fruit trees ; but I would assure them 
that October is the best time in the whole year for the work, and 
therefore before the end of September all alterations should be 
determined upon, so that there may be no delay hereafter. As soon 
as the leaves tall i'reely the trees may be lifted and replanted with 
advantage, for they at once commence to make new roots, and by 
the time the winter is upon us they will be well established in their 
new quarters. They will consequently be in grand condition to 
make a vigorous growth as soon as the weather is warm enough to 
start them into life, whereas those planted between New Year’s 
day and March will have to make new roots before they can make 
much progress. Apart from this, the soil is in a better working 
condition in October and also possesses a greater degree of warmth 
than in the depth of winter or in early spring, and it is therefore 
more favourable to the development of new roots. There is yet 
another point in favour of early planting, and that is the greater 
facility which exists in the autumn for obtaining first-class trees of 
the more popular sorts, for it may be assumed that those who are 
wise enough to buy early will certainly take proper care to select 
none but the best trees. Holding, as I do, immense stocks of fruit 
trees I am able to speak with the greatest degree of confidence upon 
this point. 
As regards the character of the soil most favourable to the 
growth of the plum it may be said that few fruits are less particular 
as to the soil in which they are grown ; therefore the trees may be 
planted in almost every garden in the country without there being 
any cause to fear the ultimate results. It may, however, be stated 
that heavy soils are preferable to those of a light character, and in 
my practice I have found the plum come to the highest perfection 
in strong clayey soil mixed with a liberal proportion of sound loam, 
Scptemlier. 17 
