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split under the load of fruit. To sum up : Every variety of fruit 

 tree is not equally suited to this system of pruning ; it takes too 

 long to form, it occupies too much space, it is too high for pruning, 

 spraying, and picking, and is too much exposed to winds. 



4. The low standard or " vase" system has been found by long 

 experience to be the form best suited to the Australian climate ; it 

 is also the one best adapted to Californian conditions. Unlike the 

 pyramid shape, which has the cone pointing upwards, the " vase," 

 " goblet," or " wineglass " form, rests 011 its cone, and directs its 

 branches upwards and outwards. Amongst the advantages it offers 

 It is simple to understand and master ; it is applicable to all kinds 

 of fruit trees ; it is suitable to all localities where fruit trees can be 

 grown out in the open without artificial shelter ; it forms a vigorous 

 stocky tree, well balanced, easier to prune, spray, and pick ; it 

 efficiently shelters the stem against sun scald; it resists the 

 onslaught of heavy gusts of wind better than the other forms of 

 training ; it requires less space than the pyramid form ; it offers 

 greater facility of approach to the stems by the horses when 

 cultivating. 



The above paragraph sets forth the advantages of this system 

 in preference to others. The low standard system of training, 

 however, best suited for the climatic conditions which obtain in 

 countries like Australia and California, where hot summers prevail, 

 has been materially modified from its prototype, the " vase " or 

 " goblet " form, found in the gardens of Europe. 



EUROPEAN VASE OR GOBLET. 



There the tree is headed back to two or three feet ; three or 

 four branches disposed round the stem are drawn outwards by means 

 of strings fastened to pegs, which will form the main limbs of the 

 tree. On these limbs, which are. cut back the next winter to a lower 

 bud. which will continue the main branch, and either to the left or 

 the right of it, a side shoot is allowed to grow and all the other 

 shoots are pinched back ; these two shoots are bound to a light hoop 

 to keep them in place, and constitute the main branches of the 

 young tree. The next winter again this process is repeated, with 

 this difference, that the side shoot is allowed to grow on the opposite 

 side of the previous year's side shoot. These form secondary 

 branches, and are fastened to larger hoops ; all shoots which start to 

 grow either inward towards the centre or outward are rubbed off, so 

 that after a year or two the tree presents as nearly as possible the 

 shape of a vase or goblet, with a hollow centre and an even exterior 

 outline with a thin wall of foliage. 



MODIFIED VASE FORM OR Low STANDARD. 



It is apparent from the outset that such a symmetrical and 

 open system of training, if adopted under a climate such as 

 ours, would, without fail, result in much damage being done by the 

 scorching sun to both the tree itself and to its crop of fruit. I have 



