THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 35 



neither stakes nor wire trainers are required, the expense of these 

 trainers, which to many is a matter of much importance, is avoided. 

 In the cultivation of espalier trees, either stakes or wire trainers 

 cannot be dispensed with, but the trees will more than repay the 

 cost, especially as they take up so little space. Pyramidal trees are 

 also much handsomer in appearance ; and well-grown trees of many 

 of the sorts form beautiful objects, and are well adapted for the 

 embellishment of the lawn and shrubberies. "When in full bloom, 

 they are unsurpassed by any of the early-flowering shrubs and 

 trees ; but when, in the autumn, the branches are borne down by 

 their handsome and, in many instances, highly-coloured fruit, they 

 are unequalled in the beauty and grandeur of their appearance. 

 In well-appointed gardens, where there is space sufficient to admit 

 of everything being kept in its proper place, the fruit-trees ought to 

 be strictly confined to departments set apart for the fruit and vege- 

 tables ; but with small gardens the case is entirely different, and 

 there is nothing objectionable in having a few handsome fruit-trees 

 upon the lawn or in the shrubbery-borders. Trees against walls can 

 be trained with the side-branches spreading horizontally from a per- 

 pendicular main stem, or the fan mode of training may be adopted. 

 Of the two, the latter is the best, although the trees do not present 

 such an artistic appearance. 



Stocks and Planting. — Nearly all the best varieties do well 

 upon the quince stock in naturally deep and fertile soils ; but, in 

 those of a poor, sandy nature, very few indeed do any good upon 

 that stock. They make so little wood, and bear so freely, that in a 

 few years the trees perish. To obtain fully-developed fruit, a healthy 

 growth is essential ; hence, in all but the richest soils, select trees 

 upon the pear stock. The trees will certainly require more space 

 for their development, but it must be added that one healthy tree 

 will produce finer and a larger quantity of fruit than two or three 

 miserable, half-starved scrubs. They should be planted at a distance 

 of about five or six feet apart in the open quarters ; but it is a 

 capital plan to put a row of trees on each side of the walks in the 

 kitchen-garden, at a distance of about four feet from them. The 

 space between the walk and the trees can be utilized by planting 

 such things as lettuces and radishes, which do not impoverish the 

 soil much ; and they are also most valuable for growing the plants 

 during the summer that are employed for the winter and spring 

 decoration of the flower-garden. 



In purchasing the trees, select healthy and well-formed speci- 

 mens ; and give preference to those that are strong enough to pro- 

 duce a crop within two or three years after they are planted. It is 

 no gain whatever to purchase small trees because they are sixpence 

 or a shilling cheaper, and then have to wait two or three years 

 longer before they arrive at a bearing state. The really cheapest 

 trees to buy are those from three to four feet in height, moderately 

 bushy, and ranging from four to five years of age. Plant early in 

 October, or as soon after as may be convenient, as the soil is then 

 warm, and the roots take to it kindly, and soon become established. 

 They can, however, be most successfully planted during February 



