72 THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



To form the " U " tree, a maiden tree is headed at 9 inches from the ground 

 (Fig. 16, Q, q). This gives rise to side growths; select two of the best as nearly on 

 a level as possible, and take these to the right and left of the stem with a curve 

 upwards, and rub off all the others. The point is to secure the shoots as nearly 

 of equal vigour as possible, which may be effected by depressing that taking the lead. 

 Pinch the laterals at the first joint as it is made, and when the leaves have fallen 

 the tree will resemble that shown in the engraving, R. The following February 

 cut back each shoot about one-third of its length (R, r\ and the laterals (s) close to 

 the main branches ; bring these down and secure to the wall so that they will be 

 2 feet apart when taken upright, as shown in S. Several shoots spring from each 

 branch ; one is trained upright as a leader (), and three on each branch are retained 

 as bearing shoots (u) for the following year. Most of the other growths are rubbed 

 off, but a few may be pinched at two leaves, and one afterwards for the production 

 of spurs (v ). The side shoots are trained a foot asunder, at an angle of 45, and 

 stopped at 15 inches, and the laterals from them pinched at the first joint as often 

 as made. The upright shoots (t) are not stopped, but their laterals are pinched, and 

 the leaders are cut back to about 3 feet (w) from their origin at the winter pruning, the 

 summer-pinched laterals being removed at the same time. Fruit is borne on the side 

 shoots (u) of the previous year's formation, as shown in T, x> a growth being retained 

 above the fruit, pinched at three leaves and afterwards to one joint of growth. 

 Immediately the fruit is gathered the bearing parts are cut out at the bars; also> 

 as shown, in the detached shoots (y\ basal growths (z) being provided to take their 

 place for the succeeding year's crop. On the uprights, a shoot is taken forward in 

 continuation (a) ; also side shoots (&) at 1 foot apart. The leading shoots, if 

 thoroughly ripened to the points, may be left entire; otherwise shorten them to 

 growth, not blossom, buds on well-matured wood. 



3. Fan Training. This is the old English method of training peach and nectarine 

 trees, and is still the most popular in this country, also decidedly useful ; but obviously 

 fewer varieties of these fruits can be grown against a given extent of wall than by 

 the foregoing methods. The main point of fan training is to prevent the vigour of 

 the tree being expended on the upper part, and the lower branches consequently 

 weakened. This is generally caused by allowing upright branches to take an undue 

 lead whilst the tree is young, or disregard of a regular disposal of the branches, so as 

 to secure an equal distribution of the sap. The main branches should not be numerous, 



