MO^'THLY CALENDAR. 567 



tut which has been imported into some of our best gardens, —at Trentham, 

 for instance. There are five lines set out for the culture of choice apples and 

 pears on the wire-training system ; they are alternately cup- or vase-shaped, 

 and the reverse, or umbrella -fashion, which has an excellent effect, and 

 appears to be very fruitful. 



17S8. In the gardens of the Luxembourg, the quarters in the fruit-garden 

 are surrounded with borders planted with cherry, plum, and apricot trees as 

 standai'ds, while others are trained in the vase-shape, on 4-foot stems. The 

 head is formed hollow, the shoots being annually tied down to hoops of wood 

 of the circumference required ; and all shoots which spring up in the centre of 

 the vase pinched off. Supposing a tree to have six shoots, they are tied to a 

 hoop at equal distances all round, and shortened to a few inches above the 

 hoop, so as to leave them about a foot in length. From each of these two other 

 shoots are trained towards a wider hoop, parallel with the first, in the fol- 

 lowing season, and this is continued annually until the desired form is 

 attained, and the head of the tree completely balanced in its cup-like form. 

 At Trentham and elsewhere this form is attained by means of a light iron 

 wire frame, the umbrella form being produced in the same manner, the wires 

 radiating from the centre corresponding with the number of shoots issuing 

 from the stem, with hoops of thin wire on which the lateral shoots are trained. 



1789. Another arrangement of the cup-trained tree is recommended by 

 M. Du Breuil. Starting with four primary lateral shoots, these are suffered to 

 extend themselves horizontally for the first year. When they are tied to tho 

 hoop and stopped, each of these will throw out two shoots the second year, 

 being kept at an equal degree of vigour by pinching. At the end of the second 

 season, these eight shoots are cut back to a foot from their base, with two 

 buds on each ; those issuing on the left side of the shoot being trained on a 

 hoop towards the left, at an angle of about 30° ; those on the right, at the 

 same angle, in the contrary direction; each thus crossing another at the same 

 angle, and consequently at the same distance from each other. During the 

 third year sixteen shoots are suffered to grow, the circle widening with each 

 year, or rising at the same circumference, according to the taste of the 

 trainer ; and this special training is continued until it is seen fit to stop its 

 further growth, each of the branches being grafted by approach to that which 

 crosses. 



1790. The advantage presented by this mode of training is said to be a 

 more equal distribution of the sap in the whole extent of its branches, and 

 consequently a more equal distribution of fruit, the fi-uit on spurs being 

 obtained in the same manner as in the pyramid trees. 



1791. Sir aivher vies. — Alpines are now in full bearing. This is also the season 

 for saving seed, if seedlings are desired for planting. Selecting a few of the 

 finest bearers, let them be fully ripened, and the seed saved. Take the fruit 

 and rub it on a piece of glass or slate, so that the pulp may dry up, when the 

 seed may be rubbed off and preserved till the season for sowing in the spring. 

 Banners, which is the only means by which plants are obtained true to the 



