PLUM. The Prunus domestica is generally considered as the species which has given rise to the numerous varieties of this fruit ; but both Pecans insitilla and P. spinosa have most probably contributed. These species are indigenous to a great portion of the northern hemisphere, Britain included. Their range may be stated to extend from Norway to Barbary, and from Portugal to Otshmere, and even Nepaul. Damascus was formerly celebrated for this fruit : brauches of the plum are represented on Damascus medals; and many of the varieties now in cultivation still retain the name of this place, or it is employed as a distinguishing prefix to a number of subrarieties; thus the French enumerate upwards of twenty varieties of Damao. In this country the name of Damascene was given to theme varieties which may be supposed to have been brought from Damascus, or to others ; but the corruption of this to Damson has been long established. What ever region may be the origin of them, it is certainly to Franco that we are indebted more immediately for the greater part of the varieties now actually cultivated.
In the Catalogue of Fruits,' published by the Horticultural Society, 274 varieties are named ; but the mussel, Orleans, and damsons are those best fitted for orchard culture iu England, among the purple fruits; and the green-gage, especially in the southern parts, and the bullace, a coarse but useful variety, everywhere, among the pale fruits.
The cultivation of the plum is not difficult. The tree is hardier than the cherry-tree ; but. the blossoms are equally tender. The trees succeed in any free soil, not too dry, but by no means stiff or clayey. Their roots extend horizontally, and are apt to throw up suckers, which must be destroyed on their first appearance, otherwise they rob the tree, and form protuberances on the roots. Too much manure will actually kill the trees ; and at all times a medium state of vigour should be aimed at Excessive luxuriance is the forerunner of gummy exudations; and, on the other hand, if the tree be stunted and the vessels contracted by drought or other causes, whereby the sap is obstructed, gum is in that case also induced. Pruning should be applied to the plum in the same manner as to the peach ; and in the management of standards care should be taken to destroy useless limbs on their first appearance, instead of waiting till the shoots to be re moved become large branches. In training the plum the new wood should be cut away in winter, except those at the end of branches, and these should be cut hack to half their length. The varieties are pro pagated both by budding and grafting; and for the latter, as the buds push early, the cuttings should be taken off not later than February. The wood-buds are easily distinguishable from the flower-buds by being more pointed.