THE APPLE AND THE PEAR. 239 



years after planting, shows that by proper treatment 

 their existence is not so fleeting. The spurs must be 

 managed in a manner similar to that described in treat- 

 ing of pyramids, to renew them, and the slender fruit 

 branches must be shortened. This, in addition to the 

 manuring to be hereafter described, constitutes the sub- 

 stance of their management. 



The Pruning and Management of the Apple and Pear 

 as Espaliers. In the cool, moist climate of England, this 

 is a popular and advantageous method of training apples 

 and pears. The specimens of this kind in public and pri- 

 vate gardens there, are admirable in their way, and illus- 

 trate the skill and handiwork of the English gardener 

 very favorably. The best espalier for the apple and pear 

 is that of ihQ horizontal, that is, an upright central stem, with 



Fig. 115. PEAR-TREE TRAINED HORIZONTALLY*, 



horizontal arms or branches at equal distances on both 

 sides (fig. 115). The production of this tree depends in 

 the main on the same principles as the pyramid, and does 

 not require illustration. The young tree is cut back to 

 within six inches of the ground. From the shoots pro- 

 duced below that point, three are selected, the upper one 

 to form the upright leader or stem, and two lateral or 

 side ones to form the two first arms. The first season 

 these shoots are allowed to grow upright and are kept in 

 equal vigor. At the commencement of the second season 



