THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE 



APPLES.* 



MODES OF TRAINING. 



/CULTIVATED trees require management in training. If left to nature they assume 

 lorms not pleasing and proportions exceeding the limits available for them in 

 tertain positions, and the growths become crowded and unfruitful. For insuring fruit- 

 fulness the branches must be disposed so as to admit light and air freely, and they 

 must be regulated so as to cause an equal distribution of the sap, or some branches 

 will be much too strong and others correspondingly weak. It is an axiom in gardening 

 that sap flows most readily in free upright channels, and most tardily in the crooked, 

 oblique, and horizontal branches. An equal diffusion of sap or food should be the 

 object of the cultivator. 



Several methods of training are adopted in the management of apples, some positions 

 being better adapted for one form than for another. The principal are the pyramidal, 

 and bush ; the fan, horizontal, upright and diagonal cordons, with modifications of these 

 for adaptability to positions and the tastes of individuals. We propose to give examples 

 from the smallest planting trees, or maidens, to trees of fruiting size. 



Pyramidal Trees. These occupy less space than other forms and are much in request 

 for planting in borders along the sides of paths in gardens. They should be planted 

 about 3 feet from the edging, and 6 feet apart. At this distance they may remain 

 permanently, if subjected to root-pruning, but if they are desired to grow into largo 

 trees every other must be removed before they touch, and those remaining set back 

 3 feet so that they will stand 12 feet apart in the rows and 6 feet from the path. 

 A row of pyramids 12 or more feet in height on each side of the paths of large 

 gardens have an imposing appearance. The trees can be planted 6 feet from the 

 path in the first instance, if preferred, for obviating the necessity of re-planting^ 



* Continued from Vol. L 

 VOL. II. B 



