ITS ADVANTAGES AND USES. 19 



corresponding disadvantages, it would be very proper to 

 adopt it in preference to older methods, especially as it is 

 adapted for all purposes required, and for all varieties 

 cultivated. 



CHAP. Y. 



CORDON TRAINING ITS ADVANTAGES AND USES. 



Cordon training derives its name from its fanciful resem- 

 blance to a cord or chain. A certain number of leading 

 branches are carried out, and on them spurs are developed, 

 so that the branches look somewhat like twisted cables or 

 chains. It is not an entirely new plan, but has the advantage 

 of being based on well-known and valuable methods long in 

 use. In the present case its value chiefly consists in its com- 

 binations, and modifications required by the peculiar character 

 of the climate of England. In the case of in-door culture 

 much more novelty was admissible, because in this instance 

 the dry and equable temperature aided powerfully in its suc- 

 cess. Objections made to cordon training in the open air, 

 which, however, are not based on experience, being gener- 

 ally made by persons who have never even seen the trees 

 during one season, in orchard-houses, fall at once to the 

 ground. 



But for an amateur to take up cordon training and to en- 

 deavor to practice it, irrespective of the exigencies of our 

 rainy skies, and to expect results attainable in other dry and 

 sunny localities, is simply absurd. 



I have myself carefully studied the system, and followed it 

 out on a fair scale for some years, both in the open air and in 

 the orchard house. While, therefore, convinced of its value, 

 I trust it will not be considered presumptuous in me to say, 

 that I believe that an important portion of this peculiar sys- 

 tem would prove a total failure unless it were carried out ex- 



