Chap. XVITI.] THE CORDON SYSTEM OF FRUIT-GROWING. 



283 



spurs, care being taken that these are produced regularly and 

 thickly along the stem. 



The cordon system as generally applied to the Apple is simply 

 bringing one good branch near the earth, where it receives more 

 heat, where it causes no injurious shade, and where it maybe pro- 

 tected with the greatest efficiency and the least amount of trouble. 



It is an extension of the best principles of pruning— a wise 

 bending of the young tree to the conditions that best suit it in 

 our northern climate. The fact that by its means we bring all 

 the fruit and leaves to within ten inches or a foot of the ground, 

 thereby exposing them to an increase of heat, which compensates 

 to a great extent for a bad climate, will prove a strong argument 

 in favour of the plan. The form is so definite and simple that 

 anybody may attend to it, and direct the energies of the little trees 

 to a useful end, with much less trouble than is requisite to form 

 a presentable pyramid or bush. It does not, like other forms. 



Young Cordon Tree of tlu Lady Apple trained as an Edging. 



shade anything; and beneath the very line of cordons a slight 

 crop may be grown. They are less trouble to support than either 

 pyramid or bush ; always under the eye for thinning, stopping, 

 and pruning; 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 borders. In a garden in which much neatness is desirable it 

 would be better to plant them within whatever edging may be 

 used for the walks ; but in the rough kitchen- or fruit-garden they 

 may be used as edgings. The reason for supporting the cordon 

 at the height of a foot from the surface is to prevent the fruit 

 getting soiled by earthy splashings. In gardens where it would 

 not be suitable as an edging, the best way would be to plant 

 it ten inches within the Box or whatever kind of edging was 

 employed. In planting, the union of stock and scion must be kept 



