Chap. XX.] L'ECOLE KBGIONALB DB LA SAULSAIB. 343 



was ample evidence here that this was not the case, even with the 

 strong winds so frequently blowing. Apple-trees in one fine line of 

 eight feet high, mutually support each other without the slightest 

 injury. There are three stages of branches on' each tree, except 

 at the end of the line where they are required to complete it. 

 Having obtained the three tiers of branches, the central stem is 

 retained as a support for the intercrossing branches. It requires 

 eight years to form a series of fine espaliers like those in the 

 Government School at Saulsaie. The shoots at the top are to en- 

 courage the sap to flow freely through each branch, and also to 

 prevent very strong growth on the branches. It is thus clear that 

 we may not only much improve the appearance of our espaliers by 

 improved trellising, but make the espalier-trees self-supporting. 



In the case of very large pyramids planted here, another ex- 

 pedient to protect them from the wind was adopted. As is 

 frequent in French fruit-gardens,, the branches of the pyramids 

 are brought regularly in straight lines from the bole of the tree 

 — that is, the branches form four, five, or six wings, as the case 

 may be ; five is the most usual number. In the instance I am 

 describing there are four wings to each pyramid ; but the branches, 

 instead of being stopped, as is usually done, are trained in straight 

 lines from one pyramid to the other, so that they cross each other, 

 forming walls of trellis-work, an opening being left at the bottom 

 under which one may pass. In one spot there were regular little 

 squares formed thus between every four trees— in fact, a green 

 wall of from twelve to fourteen feet high enclosed the visitor. I 

 never met with this elsewhere, and it was very well done. 



An expedient to give additional support and strength to the 

 espaliers was, when employing the double trellis, to let the two 

 sides meet at top and lean against each other— thus, y\— instead 

 of placing them vertically, as is the custom. A line of trees 

 trained in the vase-form were united one with the other by a 

 strong arched branch, the branch springing from the top of the 

 vase. The fruit-gardener here, the late M. Verrier, had invented 

 and carried out with much skill, forms to suit a garden open to 

 fierce winds which would render such exposed trees insecure 

 without the strongest support. No garden could afford a better 

 test of the effect of wind on trained trees. Some that were standing 

 sindv looked like neat summer-houses. They were pyramids, 



^^ 2 A 2 



