The Story-Book of the Fields 



these results ; pruning as espalier, as 

 pyramid, or as cup. When pruned as espalier 

 the tree extends its branches, symmetrically 

 arranged, to the right and left against a wall. 

 The wall serves as a support and a shelter 

 against the wind ; while it supplies ad- 

 ditional heat and light to the foliage and 

 fruit by reflecting the beams of the sun. In 

 the pyramidal form the branches of the tree 

 decrease in length regularly from the base to 

 the top, being sufficiently far apart not to 

 shut off the light from the centre. The whole 

 forms a sugar-loaf, or cone, to the heart of 

 which the sunlight and the air have free 

 access. This is the form most in accordance 

 with the natural tendency. The tree in the 

 cup shape has a certain number of equally 

 strong branches arranged in a circle round an 

 empty central space, which thus receives its 

 share of sunlight without any impediment. 



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