THE PEAR. 113 



There is now nothing more to be done than to com- 

 plete the tree, by continuing the same treatment until 

 it reaches the top of the wall. Arrived at its final 

 height, it must be cut every year about 16 inches below 

 the coping of the wall, to allow space for the growth of 

 a vigorous shoot every year, which will force the sap to 

 circulate freely through the whole extent of the stem. 



If the wall runs east and west, it is not important 

 to which side the stem is inclined ; but if the wall 

 extends north and south, it should be inclined to the 

 south, to afford as much light as possible to the under- 

 side fruit-branches. When the wall is built on the 

 descent of a hill, the trees should be inclined towards 

 the summit, or their growth will be too soon arrested 

 by the top of the wall. The trees being planted 16 

 inches apart, and each developing a single stem, the 

 result will be an espalier, composed of a parallel series 

 of slanting trees having a space of about 12 inches 

 between each stem (fig. 98). 



If it is desired to fill up the vacant space on the 

 wall left by the inclined position of the trees, a half 

 palmetto may be grown for that purpose. To accom- 

 plish this, first plant a young tree, and treat the same 

 as the others ; after it has been inclined to an angle of 

 45 degrees, allow a strong shoot to grow from the base 

 of the stem, and develop itself freely during the 

 summer. The following year incline it parallel with 

 the other stem, and twelve inches from it. During the 

 summer allow another shoot to grow from the bend of 

 the previous one, incline it as before, and so on each 

 year until the vacant space is filled. 



