THE PEAR 



127 



and more fruitful growth ; it is to be recommended on all occasions where prac- 

 ticable. If worked on the Quince stock, as all cordon pears should be, they 

 will remain fruitful for many years after they have filled their allotted space on 

 the wall, especially if the wall is a high one, say 12 feet. But they would 

 undoubtedly succeed better and live longer if allowed gradually to develop into 

 double ones as suggested above. In the case of a low wall, say 8 or 9 feet, 

 double cordons should be planted in the first instance. 



Apart from the interest and utility cordons possess in their adaptability for 



Vertical Cordons 



Single maiden tree in growth from bud ; 

 {d) point or' shortening at winter pruning, 

 about half its length. In the following 

 spring retain the strongest shoot as 

 leader, and when it has grown 12 inches 

 pinch out the point. If this is done by 

 midsummer, it will grow again ; reserve 

 the strongest growth, training it upright, 

 pinching the other to the third leaf. 

 Shoots on the previous year's wood are 

 treated similarly. At the winter pruning 

 the leader need only be shortened to well- 

 ripened wood, or, if well matured and the 

 second growth short, leave full length, cut- 

 ting pinched side shoots to a bud or two. 

 Subsequent years' treatment is similar. 

 2. Double tree one year trained (in leaf) ; 

 {e) point of shortening growths at winter 

 pruning. F- llowing spring and summer 

 treatment same as for single cordon. 



Diagonal Cordons 



Single cordon four years trained, i. Maiden tree pro- 

 perly planted and secured to trellis. If well rooted 

 and not too vigorous, it need not be shortened, 

 otherwise . it must be shortened to the cross line 

 so as to secure a vigorous growth for extension. 



2. Second year from bud, maiden tree not having 

 been shortened ; (/) continuation growth ; {g) pre- 

 vious year's wood on which spurs have formed. 



3. Third year ; {h) extension growth ; (z) previous 

 year's wood with spurs ; {J} three years' wood bear- 

 ing fruit, 4. Fourth year ; {k) extremity gi'owth 

 and limit of trellis ; (/) previous year's wood with 

 spurs ; (m) three years' wood fruiting ; below four 

 years' wood in bearing. In trees trained diagonally 

 the flow of sap is more evenly distributed than in 

 the vertical, consequently more vigour is imparted 

 to the lower parts. 



the requirements of small gardens, they have a special advantage in the case 

 of any large or small garden with new walls, and where it is desired to furnish 

 them immediately and without loss of time with fruitful trees. Cordons can 

 be purchased at reasonable prices, from 6 to 10 feet in height, and clothed from 

 base to summit with fruit-bearing buds, and they return to the grower the 

 first year after planting a satisfactory yield in a crop of excellent fruit. It 

 may here also be stated that to those wishing to grow large and handsome 

 pears, either for private dessert or for exhibition purposes, there is no method 

 of culture which will secure this result so successfully as the cordon tree. A 



