CHAPTER IX. 



Improved Mode of Growing the Pear as an Espalier. 



KNOW of no way whereby we may so highly improve 

 the garden culture of the pear as by paying more atten- 

 tion to it as what we call an espalier tree. This is also 

 the opinion of many of the best fruit-growers in Britain, who agree 

 that there is no finer fruit than that gathered from well-managed 

 espalier trees. It is well known that some pears lose quality by 

 being grown against walls. It is equally certain that a fuller degree 

 of sun and exposure than the shoots and fruit get on a pyramid 

 tree is very desirable in many parts of this country, especially for 

 particular kinds. Many grow beautifully as pyramids j some, to be 

 had in perfection, must be grown upon walls, but by means of the 

 improved espalier system, which I shall presently describe, the 

 majority of the finer kinds may be grown to the highest excellence. 

 If the French can do nothing else they can certainly teach us a 

 lesson as to the improvement in aspect, cheapness, and utility of 

 the espalier mode of growing fruit, and especially pear trees. It 

 should be borne in mind that the good opinion of espalier trees 

 given by British cultivators has been won by the method under 

 the greatest disadvantages, for nothing can be uglier or more in- 

 efficient than the usual mode of supporting and training espaliers 

 in our gardens. It is generally costly and disagreeable to the eye, 

 so much so that it has been done away with for this reason alone in 

 many gardens. I know some important ones near London, and 



