16 THE FRUIT GARDEN. 



eastern ; however, apple and pear trees being perfectly hardy, may 

 be pruned at any time during the winter months with safety ; 

 plums and cherries may also be pruned any time that the wea- 

 ther is tolerably mild ; and as this month will answer extremely 

 well in the southern states, for pruning almost all kinds of fruit- 

 trees ; it may be useful to give at this time, general instructions for 

 performing the same, which may be referred to at any other period. 



Pruning Espalier and Wall Trees. 



As some people have not a sufficient idea of what is meant by es- 

 paliers, the following explanation, and instructions for forming them, 

 &c. may not be unacceptable. 



Espaliers are hedges of fruit-trees, which are trained up regu- 

 larly to a lattice or trellis of wood work, and are commonly arranged 

 in a single row in the borders, round the boundaries of the principal 

 divisions of the kitchen-garden; there, serving a double or treble 

 purpose, both profitable, useful, and ornamental. They produce 

 large fine fruit plentifully, without taking up much room, and being 

 in a close range, hedge-like ; they in some degree shelter the escu- 

 lent crops in the quarters ; and having borders immediately under 

 them each side, afford different aspects for different plants, and also 

 they afford shelter in winter, forwardness to their south-border crops 

 in spring, and shade in summer ; and as to ornament and variety, 

 what can be more delightful in spring, in the excursion of the walks, 

 than the charming appearance which the trees make when covered 

 with their showy bloom, differing in themselves, in thosfe of differ- 

 ent genera, species, and varieties ; or in summer, to see the fruit 

 of the different sorts advancing to perfection, and in autumn arrive 

 successively to maturity ? And as the trees are arranged all of an 

 equal height, not exceeding six feet, closely furnished with branches, 

 ranged horizontally at regular distances one above another, from 

 the very ground upwards, the fruit hereby are exhibited to great 

 advantage, and being low, and the branches fixed, are convenient 

 to pull, and not liable to be blown down by wind. 



An espalier has this advantage over a wall tree, that as being 

 wholly detached, the branches have liberty to form fruit spurs on 

 both sides, which in the wall tree cannot be effected but on one ; in 

 fact, common fruit-walls are^ unnecessary in the United States, 

 except in the eastern and some of the middle states, where they 

 are useful in forwarding to clue perfection, and flavour, some late 

 kinds of superior peaches, grapes, and other late fruits ; but when 

 walls are built for other purposes, and are conveniently situated, 

 advantage ought to be taken of them, for raising fruit ; observing, 

 to suit the various kinds, to the various aspects. 



Trellis's are also used occasionally for wall trees, where the wall 

 does not admit of nailing the branches immediately against it; also 

 for training wall trees in forcing-houses and forcing-frames, and are 

 formed according to different degrees of taste, for use and ornament, 

 as well as of different dimensions, from four or five to six, or in 

 forcing-houses, to seven, eight, or ten feet high. 



