344 



TRAINING. 



It does not, like other forms, shade anything, and beneath the very 

 line of cordons you may have a slight crop. They are less trouble to 

 support than either pyramid or bush ; always under the eye for thin- 

 ning, stopping, &c. ; easy of protection, if that be desired ; and very 

 cheap in the first instance. 



" A few words are necessary as to the best method of planting and 

 managing the apple trained and planted around the quarters or on 

 borders. In a garden in which particular neatness is desirable it 

 would be better to plant them within whatever edging was used for 

 the walks, but in the rough kitchen or fruit garden they may be used 

 as edgings. The reason of supporting the cordon at one foot from the 

 surface is to prevent the fruit getting soiled by earthy splashings. By 

 having something planted underneath which would prevent this, we 



Fig. 325. 





Edgings of cordons in French fruit- garden. These are three years old. 

 When older, if well managed, they ought to regularly present a wider 

 array of spurs. 



might bring the cordon lower down ; but, though I have thought of 

 several things likely to do this, none of them are very satisfactory. 

 Doubtless, however, we shall yet find something that may be cultivated 

 with profit immediately under the cordon and prevent the splashings, 

 and then be able to bring it within six inches of the earth. 



"As regards the planting and treatment of the apple trained in this 

 form some remarks are necessary. In planting keep the union of stock 

 and scion just above the surface of the ground, to prevent the apple 

 grafted on the paradise emitting its own roots, and consequently be- 

 coming useless for such a mode of training. The trees should never 

 be affixed down to wire or wall immediately after being planted ; but 

 allowed to grow erect during the winter months, and until the sap is 

 moving in them, when they may be tied down. Some allow them to 

 grow erect a year in position before tying them down. They should 

 in all cases be allowed to settle well into the ground before being tied 

 to anything. For general plantings the best and cheapest kinds of 



