TRAINING FRUIT TREES. 251 



result being further shoots; and so on, until a full-sized 

 tree is obtained. 



Standard Trees. Commencing with a maiden tree, 

 train the main stem to a stake until it has attained the 

 desired height in the second year. Do not remove any 

 side shoots that may form on the stem, but pinch these 

 back to the fourth leaf in early autumn. When, in the 

 second year, the main stem is long enough, pinch off its 

 point in early summer. Laterals will then develop to 

 form the foundation of the future head. In winter cut 

 clean away all stem laterals, and also shorten the leaders 

 to three buds. The following winter prune the previous 

 summer growths to 6in. or Sin. The tree will hence- 

 forth require no further pruning beyond keeping the 

 centre well open, and shortening or removing any branches 

 which cross each other. 



Nuts. The Kentish system of training Cobs and Fil- 

 berts is as follows : Starting with a rooted layer or sucker, 

 shorten this to i8in., and remove all buds except the 

 upper three. The next season three shoots will form, 

 and in winter the three must be shortened to three eyes. 

 Six shoots will develop the following season, and these 

 should be trained at equal distances in a globular form 

 by securing them to hoops placed inside. Subsequent 

 treatment consists of shortening these in winter, and 

 training further leaders the next year, and in summer 

 pruning all side growths to six leaves. 



There are other fanciful methods of training fruit trees, 

 but as these are not in general demand we shall not waste 

 space in describing the methods of producing them. Those 

 who want gridiron, goblet, palmette - verrier, and other 

 fanciful modes of training are advised to purchase them 

 ready-trained from the nurseryman. 



