114 FRUIT CULTURE. 



tighteners, and all needful appliances are easily obtain- 

 able for the purpose. The wires should be fixed at about 

 two inches from the wall. 



Tying to the wire is much more quickly done than 

 nailing to the wall, and does not afford the same shelter 

 to insect pests, whilst it preserves the wall from injury 

 due to constant nailing, and allows the wood to ripen 

 more thoroughly and evenly. The branches are also en- 

 abled to form fruit spurs and buds all round, and it fre- 

 quently happens that the inside or back blossoms escape 

 injury from frost which damages the outer ones, and a 

 crop is thereby saved. In the case of all fruits, however, 

 and especially that of peaches and nectarines, it is need- 

 ful to be very careful in tying the trees in order to prevent 

 the branch coming immediately into contact with the 

 galvanized wire. Many instances have occurred of 

 disease and decay resulting from this. There is, however, 

 no danger if the precaution is always taken in tying to 

 cross the tie between the branch and the wire, so that the 

 branch is held firmly in position without coming into 

 actual contact with the wire. And the danger may be 

 still further lessened by painting the wires and hold- 

 fasts after fixing. 



Espalier Fences. These can generally be placed to 

 advantage in a kitchen garden, as they occupy but little 

 space, and produce an abundance of fine fruit. They may 

 be used as a bordering near to the paths, or at the back 

 of the flower border, which is usually arranged on either 

 side of the central walk, as shown by H H in Fig. 31, 

 but there are also other positions outside the kitchen 

 garden where they can be placed to advantage. If the 

 fruit is well grown such fences present an artistic ap- 

 pearance, and are admissible even in the ornamental 



