TRAINING. , 25 



3, fan and horizontal for espaliers, walls, and trellises ; 4, cordons. The requisite details 

 for producing these forms, generally from the maiden to the fruiting tree, have been 

 given under their respective headings (pages 1 25), but a few remarks on each, 

 having special reference to the cherry, are imperative. 



Standards. This shape will be found under " Apple," page 26. It is impor- 

 tant that the stem be sturdy and tapering so as to insure its supporting the head 

 erect. This is effected by encouraging side-growths moderately, but not allowing 

 tin -in to interfere with the leader, and they must not remain beyond the autumn, but 

 be cut close to the stem in October, and the wounds dressed with shell-lac solution. 



In forming the head, the first three growths should be originated as far apart as is 

 consistent with the object in view, taking them at an angle of not less than 45 to the 

 stem, for when the branches come out at an acute angle, gumming is often engendered ; 

 therefore, select those to remain that start nearly at a right angle. This is more necessary 

 to be observed with the upright-growing varieties than those which are spreading and 

 pendulous. Spring is the best time to shorten the growths of young cherry trees, 

 just when the buds commence bursting. Upright growers should be pruned to outside 

 buds ; spreading growers may be shortened to inside buds. Strong growers should be 

 left longer at the first pruning than the moderate-growing sorts, shortening Bigarreau 

 and similar vigorous kinds to 15 to 18 inches, taking one shoot at the end, and the 

 other 3 or 4 inches lower on each branch, thereby allowing room for the branches to 

 swell without colliding. Other shoots may be rubbed off, preferably pinched. After 

 the six principal branches are originated, pruning will be limited to keeping the 

 head open, preventing the growths crossing each other, and maintaining equal vigour 

 as nearly as possible in the principal branches. 



Fan-trained trees. These may be originated as described for that form on page 184, 

 Vol. I., starting the growths about 6 inches apart on the stem, and afterwards forking 

 them so as to cover the space equally with branches at 9 inches asunder for Duke 

 cherries, and 1 foot for the Bigarreau, and similar strong-growing sorts. A few illus- 

 trations will explain this mode of training the cherry. 



The maiden tree, A (Fig. 40), is cut down to 1 foot from the ground in autumn or early 

 spring, as shown by the bar. This causes several shoots to push the following summer ; 

 three only of the sturdiest and best situated ought to be retained, as indicated by the dotted 

 lines, C. If all the shoots were allowed to remain the branches would ultimately 

 become jammed, and gum disease follow as the consequence. This ought to be guarded 



