APPLES. 



which gives the tree an awkward and vacant appearance. 

 The other method is to train a perpendicular shoot from 

 the centre, and furnish the sides with branches at right 

 angles from the main stem : this last appears to me the 

 most simple, and the best ; because it leaves no blank in 

 the tree, and is the most easy to be accomplished. 



In proceeding to form a tree of this description, 

 select a plant of one year old from the graft, with three 

 even shoots if possible : when planted, place five short 

 stakes in the line the espalier is intended to be trained, 

 one in the centre, and two on each side, at a foot 

 distance from each other ; training the centre shoot 

 perpendicularly to the centre stake, and the two side 

 shoots horizontally to the four others : these must be 

 kept at their full length till the plant has been esta- 

 blished a year. If then it appears to be in a state of 

 vigour, cut back the three branches ; the two side ones 

 to six inches, and the centre one to nine or ten. When 

 the young shoots are produced from these, train the 

 extreme or strongest one from each of the side branches 

 horizontally. The centre shoot will have produced 

 three shoots at least ; the uppermost of which must be 

 continued perpendicularly, and the two next beneath 

 trained horizontally, one on each side. This will then 

 form the espalier. This process must be continued 

 from year to year till the tree has arrived at its intended 

 height, which is generally about five feet. 



If the centre shoot produces three others annual!^ 

 when cut down to nine inches, it will require seven 

 years to complete the seven series of horizontal branches: 

 but sometimes it happens that the centre shoot possesses 

 sufficient vigour to produce two series, or five branches, 

 by shortening it to eighteen inches instead of nine ; if 

 so, this advantage may be seized. 



Should the tree, after having been planted a year, 

 not possess sufficient vigour to throw * out three shoots 



