58 DWARF FRUIT TREES 



thrive on north walls. West walls are considered espe- 

 cially favorable for pears and plums. The walls are 

 nearly always built of brick. They should have a 

 height of ten to fourteen feet. Each wall usually has 

 a coping at the top with a projection of ten to eighteen 

 inches, which sheds the rain, protecting both the wall 

 and the fruit trees. Where extreme pains are spent 

 on the culture of fancy table fruits there are curtains 

 hung from rods along the outer edge of these copings, 

 and the curtains are drawn to protect ripening fruit 

 from too hot sunshine, or to protect the blossoms in 

 the spring season from late frosts. 



Brick walls, with all their appurtenances, are less 

 important in America than in Europe and the advan- 

 tages to be expected from this particular method of 

 culture are decidedly less. Walls would more proba- 

 bly be useful for peaches and nectarines in northern 

 latitudes than for any other fruits. 



Cordons and espaliers require some sort of sup- 

 port, however, and where walls are not used trellises 

 are necessary. These may be of wood or wire. There 

 is a belief current that the wooden trellises are better 

 because they reflect less heat, but wire is so much 

 cheaper and more durable that it will usually be chosen. 



Five or six wires are needed to make a good trellis 

 for upright cordons. These should be placed twelve 

 to fourteen inches apart, with the lowest wire thirty 

 inches from the ground. All wires should be tight, 

 and to this end stout, well-set posts are necessary. 

 The wires should be loosened in the autumn, before 

 freezing weather begins, and should be tightened again 

 in the spring. 



