122 



THE FRUIT GARDEN 



Side Branch, Leafless 



(/) Extension growth not shortened because 

 neither too long nor sappy unripe laterals 

 present ; (g) side shoots spurred in ; 

 (/z) spurs on which fruit may be produced 

 the following summer. 



leaf. By some growers the system is advocated of stopping the growth of these 

 shoots as soon as they have developed five or six leaves, instead of leaving them 



to grow their full length, as recommended 

 above, maintaining that by this plan the 

 whole energy of the tree is concentrated 

 in an effort to develop and strengthen this 

 growth, and so prepare it more eiFectually 

 to produce at its base stronger and better 

 blossom buds. To small cultivators whose 

 fruit plantations are primarily intended to 

 give recreative employment and pleasure, 

 this system may be practised with advan- 

 tage. Good crops of excellent fruit may 

 be secured in this way, but the natural and 

 healthy development of the tree is un- 

 doubtedly retarded. Under this method 

 stopping must be continued during the 

 season, the second, and third, and any sub- 

 sequent growths being pinched at the third or fourth leaf. This plan is suitable 

 for gardens of limited extent where one wishes to grow many kinds of fruit 

 trees, and where large trees are not desired. 



Espalier-Trained Trees. — I am of opinion that no system of training is 

 better adapted for the successful culture of the pear than the horizontal espalier. 

 It affords to the tree all possible exposure to light, heat, and air. Espalier trees 

 may be had in many forms, but the one most commonly adopted, and which I 

 believe to be the best, is the horizontal espalier. The espalier or fence is 

 formed by fixing upright iron bars (using hot lead as cement), into stones about 

 15 inches square, and sunk in the ground to the same 

 depth. These upright bars should be formed of i|-inch 

 iron, and should be 5 feet above the ground and fixed 6 

 feet apart. This height will admit of five rows of wires, 

 10 inches apart, upon which to train the branches, the 

 basal wire being fixed at 10 inches from the ground and 

 the top one being 4 inches below the top of the bar. At 

 each end of the trellis strong posts must be placed, to 

 which the wires can be fixed tightly, and if the length 

 of the trellis is above sixty yards a middle straining post 

 must be fixed. For this high trellis the size of the wire 

 should be ^ inch in diameter. To any one contemplating 

 the culture of the pear on the Quince stock on a large scale for commercial 

 purposes, I can strongly recommend this form of training. The espalier trellises 

 should be fixed at 12 feet apart, and should run from north to south. Plenty of 

 light and air would then reach the trees, and the land between the trellises be of 

 greater value by reason of the protection and warmth afforded by the trees ; it 

 could be utilised for the culture of strawberries, early crops of vegetables, &c. 

 At the Royal Gardens, Windsor, a very elegant trellis was successfully and 



Short Stubby Shoot 



That must not be pinched 

 in summer and short- 

 ened in winter, for such, 

 as in this instance, is 

 often terminated by a 

 blossom bud. 



