344 SOME SPECIFIC MODES OF TRAINING 



4. It conduces to the production of large fruit 

 and of finer quality. 



Du Breuil's "general principles of training," 

 with corollaries, which apply with particular 

 force to training on walls and espaliers, now 

 follow : 



The permanency of form of trained trees is dependent upon 

 the equal diffusion of sap being maintained throughout 

 the whole extent of their branches. 



Prune the strong branches short ; but allow the weaker 

 ones to grow long. 



Depress the strong parts of the tree, and elevate the 

 weak branches. 



Suppress the useless buds upon the strong parts as early 

 as possible, and practice this suppression as late as pos- 

 sible upon the weak parts. 



Suppress very early the herbaceous extremities of the 

 strong part, but practice the suppression as late as pos- 

 sible upon the weak part, taking off only the most vig- 

 orous shoots, and those that must in any case be removed 

 on account of the position they occupy. 



Nail up the strong part very early and very close to the 

 wall or trellis, but delay doing so to the weak part. 



Suppress a number of the leaves upon the strong side. 



Allow as large a quantity of the fruit as possible to re- 

 main upon the strong side, and suppress all upon the 

 weak side. 



Soften all the green parts on the weak side with a solu- 

 tion of sulfate of iron. ("This solution, in the propor- 

 tion of twenty- four grains to a pint of water, applied 

 after sunset, is absorbed by the leaves, and powerfully 

 stimulates their action in drawing the sap from the 

 roots.") 



