1C FRUIT AND ITS CULTIVATION. 



Last of all, there is the cordon, a most useful form of 

 tree for growing against low fences, walls, arches, or on 

 trellises. The tree is of French origin, and its culture is 

 so simple that anyone may grow apples with great success 

 in any of above positions. The tree consists of a main 

 stem, with side spurs, and no branches. This is known 

 as the " single cordon," and it can be trained vertically or 

 at an angle of 45 deg. There are also double and triple- 

 stemmed cordons, but the single one is the best. Then 

 there are also single and double-stemmed horizontally- 

 trained cordons. These have a main stem about one foot 

 high, with a lateral stem trained at right angles, or two 

 lateral stems, one trained each way. These are suitable 

 for planting by the side of a garden path, the lateral 

 branches eventually meeting each other, and forming a 

 continuous rope of growth. They are ideal trees for small 

 gardens, and are capable of bearing exceptionally fine 

 fruit. 



Distances for Planting. Standard trees should be 

 planted not less than 24ft. apart each way ; 3oft. would 

 be better. Half-standards may be 20 to 24ft. ; pyramids 

 and bush-trained trees, 12 to i8ft. ; espaliers, i8ft. ; double 

 horizontal cordons, 2oft. ; single horizontal cordons, loft. ; 

 single cordons, i8in. to 2ft. ; and bush trees on the Paradise 

 stock, 6 to 8ft. apart. 



Soil. The ideal soil for apple trees is a marly loam ; 

 but, as everyone cannot have this, they must make the best 

 of such soil as naturally exists in their gardens. Chalky 

 and gravelly soils are most unsuitable, as the trees soon 

 get stunted in growth, are subject to canker, and also 

 unfruitful. Damp, waterlogged soils are also unsuitcd 

 to successful apple culture. Clay soils, if well drained, 

 will grow apples well, and so will rich alluvial soils. Light, 

 sandy soils rarely produce good growth or induce fruit- 

 fulness. Where soils are of a chalky or gravelly nature, 

 holes should be dug out at least 6ft. wide and 3ft. deep 



