48 ORCHARD FRUIT TREE CULTURE 



that really pruning resolves itself into judicious thinning and 

 trimming, and the maintenance of sufficient foliage to foster the 

 health of the tree. To produce the latter the pruner has, to a certain 

 extent, to encourage growth, and this is the reverse of the treatment 

 generally necessary to large growing trees, but the whole thing is so 

 beautifully under control. To keep them in perfect health is the one 

 desideratum, and, having encompassed this, the fruiting may be left 

 to the tree itself. There is, however, one thing to guard against, 

 and that is, overcropping, for if this is allowed the sample of fruit 

 quickly deteriorates, the energies of the tree are exhausted and the 

 results are stunted growth and canker. 



The distance apart at which to plant dwarf trees is from 6 feet to 

 yj feet. In the nursery beds from which sales are made we plant 

 as closely as 4 feet, but in permanent positions we recommend not 

 less than 6 feet, while we would suggest that the more vigorous- 

 growing varieties would profitably fill yj feet. 



CORDONS 



Having already dealt sufficiently with the first three years in the 

 life of a cordon, we have touched upon all that is most important 

 and vital to it. But there remains something yet to be said concern- 

 ing its future development. The tree is formed, but it cannot be 

 said to be made when it has passed its third year, and the process 

 of development must continue till its full stature has been reached 

 and nothing further is required than to maintain its health and 

 productivity. Cordon trees, like all other forms, depend upon the 

 intelligence directing and aiding them ; they become profitable or 

 unprofitable according to the treatment given. When we see a well- 

 grown cordon in full bearing and measure the weight of fruit against 

 the smallness of the space occupied by the tree, we are, perhaps, 

 too apt to resort to figures and multiply the weight by the number 

 of trees that would fill an acre of ground, and so arrive at the most 

 astounding results which would be all wrong. But do not fear ; 

 results never work out that way, and such a calculation would be 

 foolhardy for any person who banked on the results. Incidentally, 

 there are too many such calculations in the horticultural world, and 

 we do most strongly deprecate the practice of trying to make Dame 



