8 FIOTOBIAL PBAOTIGAL FRUIT GROWING. 



Bush. Trees. — The bush system is admirably suited for Apples on the 

 Paradise, Pears on the Quince, Cherries on the Mahaleb, and Plums on the 

 Mussel. Selections of varieties of all these, adapted to different soils and 

 situations, will be given later. For the present, let it suffice to give a little 

 attention to the tree. A bush Apple is procured by cutting down a maiden 

 tree about two-thirds of its length, leaving six or eight buds, which break into 

 growth, giving a leader and side branches. Such a specimen may be bought 

 from a nursei'y as a two_year old. Tlie shoots should be thinned to three or 

 four and cut hard back when growth starts. In a year's time this tree will have 

 six or eight bfanches, and with one more shortening its form will be thoroughly 

 established (Fig. 3, page 7). It will be a well-branched, well-formed tree, 

 with clean, healthy growths and fruit spurs already forming freely. The 

 subsequent pruning will be dealt with later on, but it may here be said that 

 these trees may be planted 8 feet apart, and there need be no difficulty in 

 keeping them within bounds and in full fruitf ulness for many years. 



Pyramids. — Trees of formal shape are often wanted by the side of 

 garden walks. They are not more fruitful than bushes, given equally skilled 

 attention for both, and they take a little more time to shape, but there is 

 unquestionably a considerable demand for them. Pears on the Quince stock 

 are more suitable for pyramids than any other class of tree, although Plums 

 and, indeed, Apples and Cherries also, are so grown. Where space only 

 permits of a few pyramids being planted, I advise Pears being chosen, with, 

 perhaps, a couple of Plums. 



A pyramid is formed in the first place by shortening a maiden tree as 

 before described, but in the second year a more regular disposition of the 

 branches is aimed at when a choice is made, and the upper side shoots are 

 shortened more severely than the lower ones. A complete illustration of the 

 procedure is seen in Fig. 4, page 9. 



Cordons. — This type of tree emanated from France, and the name is 

 simxjly a fanciful application of the French word cordon — a string or bell- 

 rope — in allusion, presumably, to the fact that the tree is pruned in to a 

 single stem, on which fruit hangs lilce a rope of Onions. We have several 

 forms of cordon trees, e.g. single and double upright, and single and double 

 horizontal ; but in all the main principle is the same, namely, to restrict the 

 tree to a formal shape and prevent its developing branches. 



I have already shown how valuable the cordon system is where space 

 is very scarce. It is so easy to err in forming cordons out of maiden trees 

 that I am inclined to advise purcliasing developed trees of three yqars old or 

 upward. Several nurserymen make a speciality of them. It may be estab- 

 lished with advantage as a general rule in managing cordons that as long a 

 run as possible should be given to the head, with a view to jjroviding a 

 counterpoise to the severe restriction of the side growths. If a cordon tree 

 is curtailed as to its leading shoot as well as to its side branches, it will 

 dwindle and become unhealthy. This is particularly the case with hori- 

 zontal cordons, which are useful for forming a low line of trees at the side of 

 walks, in gardens where there is not room enough for the taller espaliers. 

 Prune the side shoots both in summer and winter, at the former seitson to six 

 good, well-developed, healthy leaves ; at tlie latter season to within one or 

 two buds of the main stem ; but at all times and seasons give the leading 

 shoot the utmost extension possible. In the case of low supports, a greater 

 length of run may be secured by training upright trees diagonally. 



The cordon system may be brought into play for arches, and a reference 

 to 1^'ig. 3, page 10, will show h.iw the trees may be trained. 



