392 



THE PAEKS AND GAEDENS OP PAEIS. [Chap. XXIII. 



of this shape, it would require fifteen or sixteen years to form it. 

 By adopting a more contracted form based upon the same plan, 

 we may cover the wall or trellis more quickly. 



The Palmette Verrier is named after the fruit-gardener at the 

 Ecole Eegionale de la Saulsaie, with whom it was first observed. 

 To form the tree, we have in the first instance to plant a young 

 tree which, as so much care is about to be exercised upon it, should 

 be of the primest quality. In forming this, as all other fruit- 

 trees, the usual and most economical custom is to choose plants 

 about a year old from the time of grafting, or what are called 

 " maiden plants." Trees more advanced might be bought to 

 make the same form more quickly, but they will be more 

 expensive the further they are advanced beyond what is called 

 the " maiden " stage. The young trees should be allowed to 



The Falmette Verrier. 



Secpttd pruning. Third priming. 



Fourth pruning. 



remain a year or so in their positions before being cut, so that 

 they may root well. At the first pruning the young tree is cut 

 down to within a foot or so of the ground, and just above three 

 suitable eyes, one at each side to form the two lowermost 

 branches, the third a little above them and in front to continue 

 the upright axis. Of course all the eyes, except those that are to 

 send forth the first three shoots, must be suppressed in spring. 

 Although the tree in the illustration looks so very exact and 

 regular in its lines that the branches appear as if they had been 

 " bent in the way they should go " at a very early stage, it is not 

 so ; they are at first allowed to grow almost erect, and are after- 

 wards gradually lowered to the horizontal position. During the 

 first year of the young tree possessing three shoots, care must be 

 taken (as at all times) to secure a perfect equilibrium between 



