TRAINING FRUIT TREES. 243 



leaf. The tree will now be well furnished with fruiting 

 spurs, and commence to bear fruit. Future treatment will 

 consist of summer pruning the lateral growths, and, if 

 the tree should have reached the height desired, of shorten- 

 ing the main shoot also. 



Double cordons are formed by allowing two young 

 shoots to develop after the maiden tree has been pruned 

 the first time. If one should attempt to take the lead, 

 nip off its point, but let the other grow. In winter prune 

 the two, as advised for the single cordon ; again keep 

 an eye on the young growths, and do not allow one to 

 get in advance of the other. The next winter prune as 

 before, and permit each stem to develop one shoot on each 

 at the apex, and keep all laterals summer pruned. The 

 tree will then arrive at its fruiting stage. 



Horizontal cordons are formed in a similar way, except 

 that the maiden tree is best planted at an angle of 45 

 deg. Strong wires should be fixed about ift. from the 

 ground, and the main stem pruned to this. In spring 

 allow two shoots to grow, and train one each way along 

 the wires. If one takes the lead remove its point. In 

 winter shorten each slightly, and allow a young shoot to 

 grow at the apex of each. Any laterals that form pinch 

 to three leaves. Proceed similarly each year until the 

 tree has filled its allotted space. 



Pyramid. This is a suitable method of training Apple, 

 Pear, Plum, and Cherry trees. Commence with a maiden 

 tree, grafted the previous spring, by pruning it back in 

 winter to about seven buds or, say, ift. from its junc- 

 tion with the stock. The next spring several side shoots 

 and one leader will develop. Place a stake to the leading 

 shoot to keep it upright and safe from injury by winds. 

 In winter prune the leader back one-third, and the side or 

 lateral shoots about half-way. To ensure a perfect pyra- 

 midal outline, however, the lower shoots should be left 

 a trifle longer than the upper ones, so that the tree, when 

 pruned, assumes a cone-shape. The third season will 



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