ii8 



THE FRUIT GARDEN 



space, one worked on the Pear stock should be planted ; but if the land is 

 heavy, then the Quince stock is to be preferred. The roots of the former 

 are strong, and have a tendency to penetrate deeply into the soil, Vi^hich in the 

 case of light land is an advantage, whereas the roots of trees worked on the 

 Quince keep near the surface, and on cold and heavy soils the danger of many 



Forms of Pear Trees for Walls and Espaliers 



" Toasting Fork " tree first year after cutting down maiden tree ; {o) point of cutting maiden 

 tree, i foot from ground ; {p) growth from uppermost bud in following spring, which must 

 be topped at about 12 inches, in midsummer ; of the shoots that push afterwards the 

 uppermost should be trained upright, pinching others to one leaf; (g) side growths not 

 stopped, but trained full length, and when about a foot long trained upright. In autumn the 

 tree has three branches. Such form has received the fanciful name of " Toasting Fork." 

 The chief thing to aim at in these trees is equality of vigour, this being effected by stopping 

 the strongest or all the three branches when about 12 inches long, training one of the 

 shoots that push as an extension, suppressing all side growths at the third leaf, and cutting 

 back to one in winter. It is a useful form for pillars, also when space is limited, or variety 

 is required on low walls or espaliers. 2. Candelabra tree ; (r) point of cutting back 

 maiden tree originating three growths ; one is trained upright, and one on each side ; 

 (j) point of shortening leader at second winter pruning, again originating three growths to 

 form the tree of five branches. This form also represents the horizontal and upright modes 

 of training combined. The branches are originated and trained on the principle of the 

 " Toasting Fork " tree. When the two lowest horizontal branches have extended 2 feet from 

 the stem, they are trained upright, and the second tier of horizontal branches is trained 

 upright I foot on either side of the stem ; by suppressing the leader the side branches 

 acquire vigour, so that all are ultimately on a level. 3. Palmette Verrier tree ; {t) point of 

 first pruning ; {«) second shortening ; [v) third pruning. The Palmette Verrier is simply 

 the "Toasting Fork" and "Candelabra" extended. Two side branches are originated 

 each year, and these are trained horizontally at i foot apart until a sufficient number is 

 obtained to cover the allotted space ; the vertical training is facilitated by temporary wires 

 affixed to the trellis, as shown. The object of the Palmette Verrier is to secure as much 

 vigour in the lower branches as in the higher ones. It is a pleasing and productive form for 

 espaliers and walls. Numerals refer to age of wood. J 



of the best roots penetrating deeply is avoided. In planting fruit trees it is 

 a safe plan to place them the same depth in the ground as they were in the 

 nursery, and this depth is always apparent by a soil mark on the bark of the 

 tree. This is important, as in the case of the tree on the Quince it is imperative 

 to plant deeply enough to cover the union of stock and graft. 



Trees on the Pear Stock. — After the second year's growth it may 



