396 



THE PARKS AND GARDENS OF PARIS. [Chap. XXIII. 



Pyramidal Training of the Pear-tree. — This culture is, 

 considered from the stand-point of beauty alone, as desirable as 

 any with which amateurs interest themselves. I have seen in 

 very small gardens in France, pyramidal Pear-trees, which if they 

 never afforded a fruit, would be beautiful objects ; and there are 

 few " avenues " prettier than those of Pear-trees in little town- 

 gardens in Paris. In the fully-formed 

 pyramid, in addition to its symmetry 

 will be observed the straight clean 

 growth of each branch, springing at 

 regular intervals from the main stem, 



Top of Young Prar-trcc. B, the lead- 

 ing shoof. A A, shoots requiring to 

 be pinched. 



Pyramidal Pear-tree. First 

 priming. 



which is so erect and well furnished. 

 From the summit to the base such a 

 tree ought to be garnished with nothing 

 but branches well set with fruit-spurs. 

 The greatest breadth of the pyramid 

 should equal about one-third of its height. Pyramidal trees may 

 be purchased in all stages ; but trees ready-formed are costly, and 

 as many would prefer training their own, and as those who plant 

 on a large scale will find it economical to begin with trees a year 

 from the graft, we will commence with a " maiden tree," letting it 

 grow one year in the ground before pruning it. The small cut 

 represents the first pruning of this young tree, and its appearance 



