394 



FRUIT TREES FOR ESPALIERS AND DWARFS. 



side, to the extent that the trees may be thought to require while 

 these stakes last, finishing the top, as before, with a rail. As the trees 

 extend their horizontal branches and acquire substance, the two stakes 

 on each side of the one that supports the centre leader of the tree can 

 be spared, and removed to any of the extremities where wanted. And 

 as the tree extends further and acquires more substance, every second 

 stake will be found sufficient ; and the centre stake can be spared also, 

 after the leader has reached its destined height and is of a sufficient 

 substance to support itself erect. When such a form of training is 

 completed, and the branches are of sufficient magnitude, about six, eight, 

 or twelve stakes will be sufficient for the support of the horizontal 

 branches, even when they have the burden of a full crop of fruit. 

 At any other time, about six stakes to each tree will be all that are 

 necessary. 



Espalier-rails of cast-iron consist of a top and bottom horizontal rail, 

 into which upright nails are fixed at from six inches to nine inches 

 apart, with standards at every ten or twelve feet, which are let into 



Fig. 334. 



Cast-iron espalier-rail. 



blocks of stone, firmly fixed in the soil, as shown in fig. 334. Wooden 

 espalier-rails are also formed in the same manner as cast-iron rails, 

 and the standards let into iron sockets, which are fixed in stone blocks 

 or supports. 



Espalier -rails of wrought-iron may be formed of hoop and wire 

 iron of any height or degree of strength, and are neat, durable, 

 and serviceable. Fig, 335 is a representation of an espalier of 

 this description, erected in the kitchen garden at Carclew, and 

 a full account of the manner of putting it up will be found in 

 the 'Gardener's Magazine' for 1839. The total cost at Carclew 

 was from Is. 6d. to 2s. per linear yard. Strained wire may be put 

 up in this manner, either for espaliers or pleasure-ground fences, 



