^^ 



493 PYRAMIDAL TREES. 



with US, the Espiruto Sancto (^Peristeria data of orchidaceous collections), of which the 

 curious resemblance to a dove of its flowers has oldaiiied for it the naino of " Iluly 

 Spirit" plant by the Spanish, and such a round of paragraphs from the newsjiapcrs 

 lately, should also open its really fragrant blossoms — both ex])anding together, and 

 both the gratefully-acknowledged offerings, within a few months, of enthusiastic friends 

 in distant countries. The bulbs of the latter were the gift of Mrs, Tottex, to whom 

 they were transmitted by her distinguished husband, now employed on the Panama 

 railroad. 



It may interest you to learn that the original plant of the Victoria is as flourishing 

 as ever, the flower opening to-night (September iVth) being the one hundred and 

 thirty-fifth which it has produced. 



MANAGEMENT OF PYRAMIDAL TREES. 



BY ROBERT MESTON, GARDENER TO COL. A, J. POLK, ASHWOOD. TENN. 



In* the August number of the Horticulturist, page 337, there is an extract from the 

 London Gardeners' Chronicle, by William Masox. Mr. Mason complains of the 

 absence of good pyramid pruning in that country (England). Now, sir, the question 

 which arises is this : Are we in advance of our trans-atlantic friends, the British, in 

 that department of horticulture 1 I think not, and will give you my reasons ; but, in 

 justice to the cultivators of pyramid Pears in this country, I must here state that I 

 have never seen any large pyramid Pears in America, my observations being entirely 

 drawn from the sample of young trees that I have secured at different times from 

 Nurseries North and East.* These trees have all had plenty of good clean wood ; 

 and had they been headed down, as Mr. Mason recommends, they would have pleased 

 the most fastidious taste in Pear culture. Now, my reasons for supposing that good 

 pyramids are scarce in this country as well as England, arises from the fact tha tthe 

 majority of our trees are not headed down low enough the first year from the bud, as 

 all the trees that have come under my notice have been headed down to eighteen 

 inches and upwards. If pyramid Pears were cut down from ten inches to a foot, we 

 should never see any trees like No. 4, as figured in the June number of the Horticul- 

 turist, page 255,f for the top of that tree must have been where the spurs are at its 

 base. Every body that knows any thing about working up deep trees, must be aware 

 that if we prune sparingly the first season our trees never can become fully developed 

 at the base, although very high authorities in England as well as in America have recom- 



* Nnrgerymen generally find it to their aflvantafre to have tall trees, as the tallest sell the best. The English Nur- 

 serymen seldom attempt to grow pyramidal trees for sale. Some advertise them, Imt we do not remember to have 

 seen one worthy of the name. Very little is really known yet in England of the management of pyramidal trees; 

 iind whatever Mr. TnoitpsoN teaches has been gathered by him from French practice. — Ed. 



t Very much depends upon the variety. It would never do to adopt a uniform length or number of buds, as 

 eighteen inches would be as low for some as ten for others. For instance: the Glout Jforceau throws out side 

 branches with the slightest provocation, whereas the Louise Bonne is obstinate. — Ed. 



