162 FRUIT AND ITS CULTIVATION. 



shape. They are suitable for walls iq.it. high and up- 

 wards. Dwarf fan-trained trees have short stems (ift.), 

 with branches spread out equally each way. These are 

 adapted for walls 8ft. to loft. high. Horizontally-trained 

 trees are also suitable for a similar purpose. Cordons 

 may be of the upright or oblique form, with a single main 

 stem furnished with spurs ; double-stemmed ; or horizontal. 

 The upright and oblique cordons are suitable for walls or 

 fences 5ft. to 6ft. high and upwards, or for arches or 

 trellises in the open garden. Bushes and pyramids may 

 also be grown by the side of paths, or in quarters or plots 

 by themselves. 



Distances for Planting. Standards should be planted 

 2 1 ft. apart each way; half-standards, i2ft. apart in rows 

 1 5ft. asunder; bushes, 6ft. apart in rows gft. asunder; 

 pyramids, loft, apart each way; fan-trained standards, 

 36ft. apart; ditto, dwarfs, i8ft. ; cordons, i8in. apart. 



Planting. The best time to plant is from mid-October 

 to December. Planting may, however, be done any time 

 from then up to March, provided the weather be fine. 

 Deep planting must be avoided. Plant so that the roots 

 are fairly close to the surface, and see that the soil is 

 made quite firm. Standards, bushes, and pyramids should 

 be supported by a stout stake firmly driven in the ground 

 before the roots are covered with soil. Those to be grown 

 against walls or fences should only be loosely secured ; 

 indeed, the same precaution is essential in the preceding 

 case. See that the roots are spread out their full length, 

 that they are made moist before planting, ancl that all 

 bruised parts are cut away. After planting is completed, 

 top-dress with a layer of well-rotted manure. We should 

 add here that, in the case of standards and pyramids, cir- 

 cular holes 3ft. to 4ft. wide for each tree should be dug 

 out prior to planting. For wall trees the holes should be 

 3ft. wide, to allow ample room for the roots to be spread 

 out their full length. Do not overlook the importance of 

 firm planting, as Plums dislike a loose soil. 



