VERTICAL CORDONS. 39 



side, and a lower or weak side. If planted in the borders of 

 the orchard-hoiise, and trained round wires, they have an ad- 

 mirable appearance. Twelve inches of interval is also required 

 between the ascending stems, and not less than two trees 

 should be planted to train on the same wires. These Spiral 

 Cordons bear remarkably well, and for pot culture are unri- 

 valled. The sun and air have free access to the open centre ; 

 the leaders are kept down, and the spurs on them, with due 

 respect to the outrageous verticals, are easily managed. They 

 should, in the case of pots, be pinched in more closely, as it 

 is difficult then to allow a clear twelve inches of interval. The 

 outgrowing shoots are, of course, not included in this difficulty. 

 Wires are best to train round. When the leaders are fully 

 covered, and your space well filled in, then lower the leaders, 

 and twist them freely round the wires. If in pots, place them 

 close to the glass, but not so as to shade others behind them. 

 If for pear trees, in the open ground, very handsome speci- 

 mens may be obtained, and really fruitful, only the centre 

 must be kept well open. They are very easy to syringe in 

 the orchard-house, as access is easy to the interior parts. I 

 do not think that trees difficult to fruit would do, as some 

 parts are rather in the shade. The free-growing varieties 

 should be selected in preference. 



CHAP. VIII. 



VERTICAL CORDONS. 



Select a straight tree, as before, well furnished with later- 

 als ; remove one third of the top, and cut in the laterals to 

 two buds. Should any weakness appear in the lower laterals, 

 cut down to one half of the whole length, because the lowest 

 stage must be the longest, and it must be encouraged. Plant 

 in a pot, or in the open ground, or border, as before. In the 

 ensuing summer the two buds on each lateral will develop ; 



