des Arbres Fruitiers. 623 



length of from 3 in. to 6 in. and cutting off all the rest. If what is called 

 a trained tree (arbre forme) is wanted, the planting and first pruning would 

 require details which I cannot enter into in this brief notice. 



" The Distaff Form {la Quenouille). — It must be owned, that few distaffs 

 are well trained ; in most nurseries they are made to grow tall too quickly, 

 and their base becomes bare. There is a certain method of forcing them' 

 to feather again at any age, but the explanation would be too long. I must 

 confine myself to informing proprietors, that, when a distaff is bare at the 

 base, the.shaft (fleche) must be cut very short, the strong upper branches cut 

 ofl^ and the lovter ones pruned at an under bud (sous-oeil). 



"The Dwarf Tree. — It is usually trees that have been grafted for one or 

 two years near the ground, and which are cut down to 6 or 8 inches 

 from the graft, that are formed into dwarf ^trees, either as a bush or espaher. 

 In the first case, when the lateral buds are developed, the three or four best 

 situated are selected, and the others removed ; in the second case, those are 

 removed that are developed before and behind, and only one or two are 

 retained on each side to form the limbs of the espalier; but, for a pear tree to 

 be trained as an espalier, it is much better to take quenouilles that have been 

 grafted two or three years, and in a vigorous state, which gives an advantage 

 of at least two years over dwarf trees. 



" There is another excellent form that may be given to an espalier, namely, 

 the fan (palmette). It is easily formed with a good quenouille, well provided 

 with lateral branches, those behind and before being cut away ; if it is not 

 well clothed, it is cut down to 1 or 2 feet, and, by judicious pruning, it is 

 made to throw out branches at the sides. 



" The Apple Tree as a Quenouille, grafted on a Paradise Stock, — This shape 

 is very little in use ; the sap having more branches to nourish than in those 

 forming a bush, prevents the fruit from becoming so large, but the ti'ee pro- 

 duces more : besides, its pyramidal form is more agreeable. 



" These trees require to be grown from the strongest and best situated 

 branch, which must be shortened down to a good bud, 6 or 8 inches 

 above the graft. Every year the lateral branches should be cut very short, 

 as well as the stem. Apple trees may be raised on paradise stocks, in the 

 form of a pyramid of from 4 ft. to 6 ft. in height, in a good soil, and well 

 trained by judicious pruning. 



" Currant trees may also be trained in this form ; they have a very good 

 effect, and produce much more fruit than when grown as bushes. 



" I think it essential to notice a false operation too much in use with kernel 

 fruit trees, which, according to the usual routine, takes place in the months of 

 August and September. It is that of shortening the shoots or branches two 

 thirds, or often three quarters of their length. This practice is injurious to 

 the trees, inasmuch as it destroys a great quantity of leaves capable of 

 digesting the food of the plant, and strengthening the roots ; this pruning, 

 also, forces the sap into the fruit branches, and changes their destination by 

 making them throw out wood instead of fruit. 



" It is the interest of the proprietor, therefore, to prevent this being done, 

 which is absolutely detrimental to their trees ; but I recommend the practice 

 of disbudding (I'ebourgeonnage en vert), which is usually performed in the 

 spring, in the course of the month of May ; however, as it frequently happens 

 that the gardener at this period is overwhelmed with work, and cannot do 

 every thing himself, pruning does not take place at this season, which ig 

 a disadvantage to the fructification, the shape, and preservation of the trees ; 

 it is the interest of proprietors, therefore, to provide assistants to their 

 gardener, that he may have time himself to perform the operation of dis- 

 budding. This operation is the more necessary, as it avoids wounds, and 

 lessens the labour of pruning. 



" I confine myself to these observations, in order not to exceed the limits I 

 had proposed ; and, for further details, I refer my readers to the excellent 

 work of M. Dalbret, Cours theoriqiie et pratique de la Taille des Arb7'es Fi'uitiers, 

 1841.— XII. 3d Ser. s s 



