262 



THE PARKS AND GARDENS OP PARIS. [Chap. XVII. 



trained as espaliers. So satisfactory is the system adopted, that 

 if English cultivators generally could get an idea of its excellence 

 it would lead to a revolution in our fruit-culture, and a great 

 improvement in the appearance of our gardens. 



There is no way whereby we may so highly improve the garden- 

 culture of the Pear as by 

 paying more attention to it as 

 an espalier-tree. It is well 

 known that some Pears suf- 

 fer in 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 

 pyramidal tree is very de- 

 sirable in many parts of 

 this country, especially for 

 particular kinds. Many sorts 

 grow beautifully as pyra- 

 mids; others, to be had in 

 perfection, must be grown 

 upon walls J but by means 

 of the improved espalier 

 system the majority of the 

 finer kinds may be grown to 

 the highest degree of excel- 

 lence. The French can cer- 

 tainly give us a lesson we 

 may well profit by, as to 

 the improved appearance, 

 cheapness, and utility of 

 the espalier mode of grow- 

 ing fruit, especially as regards 

 the finer varieties of Pears. 

 Nothing can be uglier or 

 more inefficient than, the usual mode of training espaliers in 

 our gardens. It is generally so costly and disagreeable to the 

 eye that in many gardens it has been done away with for 

 In many instances the espalier-supports are 



JVa^i Pear-iree with vertical branches ; 

 planted. 



that m 

 these reasons alone, 



ten yeari 



