Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-09-12
miscellaneous.
PIum Culture.

lieved 10 be indigenous to the southern
and western part Of Europe. One good aaq
thority makes the plums native of Asia.
Damascus was once celebrated for this
fruit We are told that it was introduced
into England in the time Of Henry the Will
Plum stones were ordered from England
for the Massachusetts Colony in 1929. Al
though the cultivation Of this fruit has. Of
late years. been very much neglected in
this section Of our country. in other States
north and west, it receives more apprecia-
tive attention. Some parts of New York
State grow pIums quite abundantly. The
central and western parts have orchards
Of a thousand trees. Several years ago
when travelling through the northern sec
ton Of this State. ] found everywhere
trees loaded and the ground covered with
this most delicious fruit so abundant that
it seemed to be free to everybody. In
some parts Of Maine, especially in the
neighborhood Of Bangor, / found it no less
abundant. Michigan grows this fruit ex-
tensively. Wisconsin is unsurpassed.
Plum trees there make most astonishing
growth, not unfreguently eight feet in a
season, while six feet is very common.
The numbered country there is full Of wild
grating. In Ohio plum orchards are
planted on an extensive scale. California
Is famous tor plums. But the 'black knot
is an obstacle to the successful cultivation
Of this fruit in this country. This is a
large, irregular, black. warty excrescence
that grows upon the limbs Of the cherry or
plum tree, destroying all branches above
it. and each year extending down further
4 r.-& l. IL 81,
tire branch is destroyed. other limbs be-
coming affected in the same way, and al
so the limbs of other trees in the vicinity.
II neglected few wears, it will kill the
tree. There are different opinions as to
its origin. The idea has heretofore pre-
vailed that it is Of insect origin. the larve
ofthe curculio being usually found in them.
But the excrescences are frequently found
free from the curculio larva; it is
evident therefore that they are not
the cause of their growth. Some
critical observers believe them to
be Of fungoid origin, others that they
are properly disease Of the tree. in many
respects analogous to the cancer Of the
human body. The remedy usually adopted
Is the removal OF the affected limb, and
November is the best time of the year
Entire limbs are removed and if the dis
ease appears below the point Of amputa-
ton another season, second amputation
is required. Various applications have
been tried 10 the wound. such as shellac
and varnish. but of no avail. The knot
commences with swelling of the bark
This increases till it breaks the outer skin
subsequently assuming a black. rough,
warty appearance. The Larvae found in
them is merely the effect and not the
cause of the disease, the curculio finding
In this excrescence a fit place to deposit
her eggs. | have never had much ex-
perence in the treatment of disease.
believe it to be of constitutional origin u
symptom Of disease of the tree hence the
removal of the excrescence does not re-
move the disease. Remedies should
therefore be administered internally by
way Of the roots. Let proper food be
given them for growth and the production
of fruit. The affected trees should be dug
around in the fall. circular excavation
around the tree, extending four or five
feet from the trunk. should he made down
to the roots. Into this should be thrown
a barrel or two of leaves. or rich loan.
aud well rotted manure or wood ashes.
and then covered in. Some pruning may
be admissible. This process should be
repeated every year. believe that this
remedy will cure the disease in question.
unless the tree be too far gone. IL then it
will cure. would 10 not he well to use it bv
way of prevention in order to secure
healthy trees and abundant fruito
THE MCLoUGHLIN.-This very fine
plum originated in Bangor. Me, with
James Mclaughlin. and fruted about the
year 1912. and in 1916 was exhibited at
the Massachusetts Horticultural Society
In 1851 scions sold readily for 81 30 per
dozen. and trees for 81 TO $40 each. ac-
cording to size, and the demand was
greater than the supply. Says Hovey
Among all numerous varieties of plums
that have been prodyced by American
cultivators. the Mclaughlin must claim
the most prominent place. Ii is not so
large as the Washington or as beautiful
rs the Jefferson. b1t in its luscious flavor
it surpasses either of them and comes
nearest TO that standard of excellence
among plums. the Green Gage. than any
other variety. in the opinion Of many be-
ing quite equal to it. and in some re-
spects. a more valuable one tor general
cultivation The Green Gage is but an
Indifferent growing tree. irregular in its
habits, and on this account not desired bv
those Who want fine standard trees. The
Mclaughlin is rs vigorous as the Washing
ton. annual shoots often making six feet.
When full grown 1t forms round. spread
ing. apple-tree- shaped head. It comes
into bearing moderately early. and is a
remarkably productive variety. Fruit
large for roundish. regular. similar to the
Green Gage, but depressed at each end.
rather more broad than long; skin fair.
green, becoming yellow when ripe. mot
tied and dotted with brownish red Grim
son around the base or covered with a
thin. whi,ish bloom; stem short, about
one-half an inch long. stout and inserted
into very small cavity. without depres-
sion; flesh yellow, thick. very melting.
and adhering to the stone juice abundant.
rich, sugary and perfectly luscious: larger
than the Green Gage. and said not to be
so liable to crack in unfavorable seasons
rs that old variety; ripens the last OF
August and beginning of September: now
in market. Taking this plum for all in
all. size. flavor, beauty. productiveness. Il
know of no plum that should prefer. Ir|
were to plant one hundred plum trees.
! would plant fifteen OF the Mclaughlin
PRINCES YELLOW GaGE.-This is an
early variety. and one of the earliest OF
n