308 THE NEW GARDENING 



agreements there is practically unanimity among ex- 

 perts about the necessity of summer-pruning cordons. 

 The cordon fruit tree is bound up with summer pruning. 

 One might say that summer pruning is of the essence of 

 its being. It cannot be a cordon unless it is pruned 

 annually, and it is practically imperative that part of 

 that pruning shall be summer pruning. It is in this 

 connection that the old-time fruit-grower fails to be 

 helpful. It is here that his experience proves to be in- 

 adequate. He has rarely either studied the theory or 

 practised the work of summer pruning, and consequently 

 he does not understand it. 



With summer pruning, a cordon fruit that is given a 

 free head-run and is growing in fertile soil should bear 

 fruit not only the first year after planting, but every year 

 afterwards. When a cordon fruit tree is left unpruned 

 altogether it is no longer a cordon. It may be turned 

 into a bush, or a pyramid, or a half standard, but it is 

 not a cordon. Winter pruning alone, properly directed, 

 will keep it a cordon, but will not ensure regular bearing 

 every year. 



The connoisseur of fruit should aim at regular cropping. 

 He should fix the ideal of a constant annual supply of 

 delicious and wholesome Apples and Pears. It is per- 

 fectly feasible, given a reasonably good fruit soil. It is 

 possible in poor soil, but only by a scientific system of 

 feeding. 



Neither the theory nor the practice of summer pruning 

 is difficult to learn. The working-class employe of the 

 nurseryman masters it, and there is no reason, therefore, 

 why an intelligent and educated amateur gardener should 

 not do so. Let us give a few moments' consideration 

 to it. 



As the cordon tree reaches us from the dealer we find 



