350 SOME SPECIFIC MODES OF TRAINING 



the gardener. They frequently interfere with the arrange- 

 ment of the trees when planting, and in training they are a 

 great trouble, and often cause much damage to the trees. 

 Another matter of importance in construction is to provide 

 a good permanent coping of tiles or stone, projecting at 

 least six inches from the face of the wall. These should in 

 all cases be provided independently of any further coping 

 for the protection of the trees at the time of flowering. 



"REMOVABLE GLASS COPINGS are very useful for peaches, 

 nectarines and apricots. These are only required for a few 

 weeks in the spring, at the time of blossoming and setting 

 the fruit, and should be removed when no longer required. 

 Fixed glass copings are very objectionable, as they keep off 

 all rain, encourage red spider and other vermin, and neces- 

 sitate constant syringing. There are several manufactur- 

 ing firms who make light iron framework to carry the sashes, 

 these being so constructed as to allow of their easy re- 

 moval. 



" In all cases it is a great saving of labor to wire the walls 

 or fences. These should be placed in lines not exceeding 

 nine inches apart. Galvanized hold-fasts, tighteners, and 

 all needful appliances are easily obtainable for the purpose. 

 The wires should be fixed at about two inches from the wall. 



" TYING to the wire is much more quickly done than nailing 

 to the wall, and does not afford the same shelter to insect 

 pests, whilst it preserves the wall from injury due to con- 

 stant nailing, and allows the wood to ripen more thoroughly 

 and evenly. The branches are also enabled to form fruit- 

 spurs and buds all round, and it frequently happens that 

 the inside or back blossoms escape injury from frost which 

 damages the outer ones, and a crop is thereby saved. In 

 the case of all fruits, however, and especially that of 

 peaches and nectarines, it is needful to be very careful in 

 tying the trees in order to prevent the branch coming im- 

 mediately into contact with the galvanized wire. Many 

 instances have occurred of disease and decay resulting from 



