84 CORDON TRAINING. 



The maximum of inclination of any branch 

 from the main stem is seventy degrees. As the 

 tree grows, shorten the leaders each winter, and 

 the leading side branches by one-third, then by 

 one-fourth, and finally, by one-sixth of their 

 length ; so that the tree should grow in a pyra- 

 midal form, and the lower stages be always longer 

 than those above them. This golden rule is too 

 often neglected ; but the tree should not be al- 

 lowed to become pillar-like by letting the leaders 

 be too long, or by dwarfing the lowest stage of 

 branches. 



The following brief notes on training Pyramid 

 standards were made by me at Angers : 



1st year of planting. Plant in November, and 

 trim off one quarter of the side branches only. 



2nd year of planting, 1st of training. Leave 

 twelve inches of stem : select six buds for branches 

 and one for a leader. Cut the branches close in 

 to the stem, but not too near. The tree now 

 looks like a walking-stick. 



3rd year of plantation, 2nd of training. The 

 first stage of six branches will develop itself, 

 and allowing an interval of twelve inches, six 

 more buds for the second stage of branches must 

 be chosen, and one to continue the leader. Incise 

 semicircularly over the three lowest eyes to 

 check the sap, and develope them. Pinch in, and 

 break in winter the laterals on the first or lowest 

 stage of branches, now pretty long ; keep them 

 much longer than the second stage. 



