62 



are encouraged to assume the shape of an acute pyramid or cone, and 

 the branches are tied in so as to hang pendulous. For dwarf trees, 

 when space is limited, the system may be practised with advantage. 

 Fan and horizontal training, though commonly practised in the United 

 Kingdom, is of but little service in this part of the world. It is a 

 system by which the foliage and wood can be spread out so as to fully 

 expose them to the heat of the sun, a practice that may prove very 

 serviceable in a country where the summers are short. In this part of 

 the world, however, no advantage can be gained by spreading out the 

 branches, but, on the other hand, the trees are liable to suffer from 

 exposure to the sun's power. When trees are trained in this manner 

 they must, as a matter of course, have due attention in frequently 

 stopping and otherwise regulating their shoots. Grapes have, owing to 

 their habit of growth, to be especially treated in training. They are 

 commonly trained in what is known as the "currant-bush" style, that 

 is, upon stems from 12 inches to 2 feet in height, with several 

 branches, the last season's shoots from which are cut back to one or 

 more eyes every season. Another system is known as the " long rod " 

 or " renewal," and consists in allowing half the canes to be left from 

 a half to two- thirds in length, while the others are shortened back to 

 one or more buds ; the next year the long canes are shortened back, to 

 one or more buds, and the shoots from the spurs become the rods of the 

 following season. Under this system, vines, as a matter of course, must 

 be trellised, so that the shoots may be properly secured. 



GATHERING FRUIT. 



Fruits of all kinds should be gathered at such a stage of maturity as 

 will develop their desirable qualities to the fullest extent, or best serve 

 the special purposes of the cultivators. The proper degree of maturity 

 at which fruit should be gathered will, as a matter of course, vary 

 considerably according to the kind, and even different varieties of one 

 often want dissimilar treatment. Apples should be gathered imme- 

 diately before they become fully ripe. If left too long upon the trees, 

 the fruit, when kept, is apt to become mealy, and to lose in flavour more 

 or less. Pears are somewhat peculiar in ripening, and fruit in perfection 

 is seldom obtained if allowed to mature upon the trees. There are 

 exceptions to this rule, but they are very few. Many superior varieties, 

 remarkable for their luscious and high flavours, do not develop their 

 finest qualities when left to ripen upon the trees. The time the fruit 

 will take to come to perfection, after it is gathered, will vary consi- 

 derably according to the variety. From three to four days may be 

 sufficient to bring a Jargonelle or Windsor to perfection, whereas as 

 many months will be necessary for such kinds as L'Inconnue, Josephine 

 de Malines and Winter Nelis. Quinces should be fully ripe before they 

 are gathered. Plums for dessert should be allowed to hang till they are 

 quite ripe, in order that their flavour may be fully developed. If 

 required for prunes, or drying in other forms, it will be an advantage, 



