If the general nature of the soil is sandy, it will be benefited by a compost of very old manure and meadow earth, in equal proportions, being incorporated with it, where the trees are to be planted.
Propagation is done with the greatest facility by planting the stones in the month of October, about an inch deep. These vegetate the following season, and can be transplanted into a convenient part of the garden in rows, to be budded the second year, in the month of July, in a period of cloudy, moist weather. They can also be grafted very early in Spring, by either whip or wedge grafting, as recommended for the Apple; but it must be observed, that stone-fruit does not take so readily by grafting as budding. Useless varieties of the Plum should be cut back, as advised for the Pear; they will then make vigorous shoots, a portion of which can be saved and budded with choice varieties. Where there is not much room, and a variety of fruit wanted, we strongly advise several sorts of fruit to be worked on one tree; by adopting this practice with all kinds of fruit trees, a great variety can be obtained in a very small space. In favorable soils their growth is rapid. There is, within fifty feet of where I write, a tree thirteen years from the stone, that is budded with four sorts, produces a large crop every season, is now thirty feet high, and two feet from the ground the stem measures three feet in circumference.
Pruning is performed as directed for Pears; but large amputations should only be made in July, August, or September. At that period the wounds will readily heal over.
Insects.—The great and only foe of this tree is the Curculio, or Plum-Weevil. A preventive to its ravages has not been discovered. We observe trees planted in pavements, or near to dwellings, are not so subject to its attack as those in cultivated ground or gardens. Some kinds are also more subject to it than others. With us, the following are entirely de-
