376 SOME SPECIFIC MODES OF TRAINING 



The following sketch from Warneken* conveys 

 a general idea of the method of trimming and 

 training pot -fruits in the pyramid form (which 

 is the most popular shape) : 



" The form of trees is given but little attention by many 

 pot-fruit tree growers, they looking only to large yields of 

 fruit. Others, again, desire to give pot -fruit trees every 

 conceivable artificial form, even espalier forms having 

 been recommended. Although it must be constantly our 

 aim to produce a large fruit yield, it is not necessary, 

 thereby, to neglect the form of the trees ; and a pleasing 

 form with a large yield can be readily combined. 



"FORM OF THE TREES. Our pot trees must at times be 

 set closely together, and it is, therefore, not desirable to 

 produce such large forms as demand much space; as, e. g., 

 crown trees or trees of cup shape. If, however, it is de- 

 sirable to train these forms in pots, their pruning may be 

 studied in a pruning book. We shall not describe this 

 pruning, as we do not care to puzzle the beginner with so 

 many artificial forms, but we shall suggest such simple 

 and easily made forms as appeal to a rational culture, and 

 which are the result of many years of experience. For 

 such varieties of fruits as in their nature are suitable to 

 the pyramidal form, this remains the best. We, therefore, 

 give our trees, with advantage, only the following form. 



"Apples and pears we train to a narrow shape, in the 

 full grown condition a pyramid about fifty to sixty centi- 

 meters wide [a centimeter is about two -fifths of an inch]. 

 Peaches, plums, cherries, apricots and figs we train to a 

 pyramidal bush, which, however, should not be over sixty 

 centimeters wide at the bottom. With peaches and plums, 

 the more practi'cal narrow pyramids recommended for 



*H. B. Warneken, "Die Kultur des Obstbaumes im Topfe", Frank- 

 furt a. d. Oder, 1889, 33. 



