Training and Pruning of Fruit Trees. 185 



Hence, in horizontal training, say 1 ft. apart between the tiers 

 of branches, it is not well to encourage two tiers in the same 

 season ; for, in that case, the tier that proceeds from buds 2 ft. 

 from the base of the current year's shoot has a much less sub- 

 stantial origin than those that are produced from buds only 1 ft. 

 from the base. The formation of two tiers should, therefore, 

 never be attempted whilst the lower part of the wall is being 

 furnished, for the lower horizontals have a tendency to become 

 ultimately weak, and on this account it is requisite that their 

 origin should be well established. Towards the top of the tree, 

 where the sap flows with greater force, two tiers are less ob- 

 jectionable. According to the principles of Seymour's training, 

 the originating of the side branches from buds near the base of 

 the vertical central shoot is well provided for, and this ought to 

 be kept in view in every mode of training adopted. In order to 

 furnish well the lower part of a tree, it is necessary to procure 

 strong branches, and these can be best obtained from the lower 

 part of a strong central shoot; and, in order that this shoot 

 may have sufficient strength, it must have a vertical position. If 

 no central shoot is retained, one of three evils must result : 

 the central part must remain open as the tree increases, with 

 half fans on each side; or a shoot to produce others to fill the 

 centre must be encouraged from one side, thus upsetting the 

 balance of the tree ; or, to avoid this, two or more vertical or 

 nearly vertical shoots must be allowed, the divarications from 

 which cannot be kept clear of each other, whilst likewise a great 

 proportion of shoots must inevitably be placed nearly or quite 

 perpendicular, relatively with which the horizontal branches 

 below are situated at an infinite disadvantage as regards the 

 distribution of sap. 



Trees commenced to be trained in nurseries have often the 

 objectionable form imposed upon them of an open centre, being 

 deprived of an upright shoot and set off like a V; and similarly 

 objectionable are the Montreuil and other modes on the same 

 principle. With skilful management these modes do succeed in 

 France ; but, in the rich soil and humid climate of Britain, the 

 flow of sap cannot be equalised by any mode that admits of a 

 competition between vertical and horizontal branches. One 

 upright is necessary for furnishing side branches; but, being 

 annually cut back for this purpose, it does not gain any in- 

 creasing ascendancy, and forms but a slight exception to the 

 whole flow of sap being directed to the growth of the side 

 branches; and, in consequence of this, these branches will become 

 so well established that they will be capable of receiving a due 

 share of sap to enable them to continue healthy instead of dying 

 off, as is their tendency when the vigour of the tree is wasted in 



