071 Pyramidal or Espalier Pear Trees. 545 



trouble in forming fine specimens in the hands of a good cul- 

 tivator. Beginning at the base, one or more tiers of branches 

 can be secured every year, and at just such distances as are 

 required. There is little need of replacing any, unless in the 

 cas3 of accident, by grafting, budding, or any other means. 

 Only negligence can be any excuse for not having handsome * 

 trees. 



But when the object of the cultivator is to have large trees 

 at once, without the trouble and loss of time attending the 

 growth of young ones, it rarely happens that large specimens 

 can be found of handsome shape, or even such as can, with 

 the skill of the best cultivator, be made symmetrical without 

 a great deal of labor and expense, with a doubtful result in 

 the end. Many ways have been suggested to replace lost 

 branches, or bare spaces in wall or pyramid trees, and the 

 practice has hitherto been to side-graft, or bud in, wherever 

 such are wanting : but the vigor of an old tree is such that 

 the buds or grafts rarely grow willingly, or, if they start, with 

 such feebleness that they are a long time filling the required 

 space. 



The French cultivators, with their skill in the training of 

 trees, seem to have hit upon a plan to accomplish what has 

 heretofore been but indifferently done. And the plan ap- 

 pears to us so complete that we copy the account of it, given 

 by Mr. R. Thompson, who was sent by the London Horti- 

 cultural Society to examine the French gardens, and report 

 upon the state of gardening in France. His communication 

 was published in the Ilort. Journal for 1847, (Vol. H,) and 

 is illustrated with a cut representing the mode of operation, 

 (fig. 39, j a copy of which we also annex : — 



From Fontainbleau we proceeded by diligence to the rail- 

 road station at Corbeil. Near this, some pear trees have been 

 managed in a peculiar way by M. Fourke. In order to see 

 these trees and get back in time for the train, there was not a 

 second to be lost, for the probability Avas very doubtful. 

 However, we did see them with astonishment, without 

 which, I think, no gardener in England could. They were 



VOL. XIX. NO. XII. 69 



