VI INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. 



my young friends as are at a loss to know how to 

 overcome the difficulties they frequently meet with in 

 the various kinds of pruning, with a book of the 

 necessary instructions, pointing out to them the proper 

 methods in the case of all classes of shrubs and plants. 



The method, the time, and all the requisite details, I 

 may venture to say, are laid down under the various 

 heads, and the work may be, I believe, relied upon as a 

 safe guide for the young gardener, as well as for some 

 of the old ones too, and also for the amateur lady and 

 gentleman gardener. 



It will be seen that I have adopted the " oblique 

 double cordon/' on what I think is a somewhat im- 

 proved plan, which will accommodate itself to a class 

 of wall more often to be met with than that which 

 is attached to the great mansion. There are a number 

 of dwelling houses, the small gardens of which are 

 fenced with low walls — too low for training fruit-trees 

 in the fan-shape fashion. The " oblique cordon," 

 then, herein illustrated and especially treated of, is 

 the thing for them. It will be seen that by adopting 

 this useful and accommodating plan of growing 

 Peaches, Nectarines, and Apricots much less judgment 

 is needed in pruning — winter pruning — than is required 

 in the fan- shape style ; and it is no doubt more under 

 control. Moreover, a larger amount of fruit can be 

 obtained from a given space. 



There are many old favourite Pear-trees of a choice 

 kind trained on walls, which have done well, but now 

 refuse to bear fruit, simply because all their fruit spurs 

 are exhausted ; and there they are, useless relics of their 

 past goodness. Here, then, I offer the only conditions 

 by which such trees can be restored to fruit-bearing, 

 and finally become as useful as ever. 



In conclusion, I venture to express a hope that the 

 result of my present effort will be to raise the Art of 

 Pruning to the high level of the other branches of 

 horticulture and floriculture. 



