12 CORDON TRAINING. 



Another method of strengthening a weak 

 branch is to untie it from the wall, and allow it 

 to swing loosely in the free play of sun and air 

 on all its sides, one, at least, of which would 

 otherwise receive nothing. Of course, then, to 



^, tie down a branch to the tree has a contrary 

 effect, and the more we approach the horizontal 

 position, not to speak of the extreme method of 

 bending it downwards altogether, the more the 

 branch is checked in its development outwards. 

 So, if it is desired to lengthen a branch, it must 

 be directed upwards ; and a branch tied, for a 

 season, vertically, and exposed at the same time, 

 in wall trees, to the free action of light and air, 

 will grow much more rapidly than another tied 



j to the wall, and carried into a horizontal line. 



^ This is a useful maxim to remember, because it 

 may be so readily applied in nearly every case that 

 can occur. 



If we wish to give a temporary check to a too 

 vigorous branch, we must dimmish the number 

 of leaf-buds on it, and allow a rather too abun- 

 dant crop of fruit on the fruit-buds, while, at 

 the same/time, the weaker side should be raised 



vertically, an 5 110 1 aflowed to bear at all. Of 

 course the tree will not look so pretty in this 

 way for the season, until the winter pruning 

 shall harmonise the whole ; and this is often a 

 reason for neglecting this very useful plan. By 

 pinching off the green ends of branches some 



