APPLES TRAINING. i 



able form, as the central one is vertical with the stein, and the sap flowing most freely 

 in the first upright channel the shoot receives more than its due share, whereby the two 

 on each side of the stem are proportionally weakened. For a four branched tree the two 

 shoots in the first autumn after their production may be cut back to 18 inches on 

 each side of the stem, taking up two shoots on each side of it, treating those and other 

 growths similar to those of the six-branched tree. The distance between the uprights 

 should be 1 foot. 



Oblique six- branched trees only differ from the upright in having the branches aslant, 

 usually at an angle of 45 from the perpendicular or base line. This is shown by the 

 dotted lines in D. It allows a greater extension of the principal branches, and the de- 

 pression insures distribution of sap more equally than in trees with the branches trained 

 upright. All the forms mentioned are good as espaliers, secured to trellises, or as wall 

 trees. 



Cordon Training. The cordon system of training fruit trees has been long practised 

 on the Continent. It was introduced into this country by the late Mr. Thomas Eivers 

 nearly half a century ago, and has been since improved and perfected by his son, 

 Mr. T. Francis Rivers, and other cultivators. The main feature of the system is its 

 simplicity, and its chief characteristic consists in admitting of a large number of 

 trees being cultivated in a comparatively small space. These are considerations that 

 weigh with those not acquainted with intricate forms of training, and not having a 

 large extent of ground that can be devoted to fruit trees. The cordon system is there- 

 fore particularly suitable for small gardens, especially suburban ; but similar trees 

 trained on this method are equally eligible for gardens of any extent. Wherever there 

 is wall, paling, or rail area required to be covered, or means of erecting trellises for the 

 support of trees, the cordon system commends itself to all growers of fruit. 



Horizontal Cordons (Fig. 12, next page). The form under notice is very appropriate for 

 training along the sides of walks, or to form an edging or boundary to fruit-tree quarters. 

 To form the Single Horizontal Cordon, select a maiden tree, moderately strong, and without 

 side-growths. Such as is received from a nursery will be similar in stem and roots to E. 

 Shorten the tree one-third of its length, calculating from the bud or graft, and cut 

 away the radical or tap root, so as to prevent deep penetration and encourage the 

 formation of fibres near the surface. Cut the other large roots, which were bruised 

 and broken in lifting back to sound parts, when the tree will appear as in F and Cr 

 after planting. In F the tree is upright ; this occasions a sharp bond in bringing the 



