FRUIT CULTURE IN FRANCE 329 



vases 2m. 50, goblets 3 m., horizontal cordons 3 m. or 4 m., vertical cordons 

 om.40, and oblique cordons om.50 apart. 



Market Gardens. — These gardens differ from the twro mentioned above 

 in that they do not admit of much detail — they must be simple and practical. 

 The cultivation is exclusively that of fruit, and is carried on in good land not far 

 from the great centres of population, in order to provide for the disposal of the 

 produce and the obtaining of manure. The varieties of fruits, very restricted 

 in number, are selected from those best suited to the district and w^hose sale is 

 certain from their commercial value. 



Nothing is neglected in the management of the garden, the preparation of 

 the soil and the distribution of the trees (wrhich are planted more closely, 

 if it be possible, than in amateurs' gardens) are such as to ensure the highest 

 success. 



A commercial fruit garden presents an enclosure well exposed to the sun and 

 air, writh the enclosing walls not very high ; sometimes with partition walls, 

 upon which are cordon apple trees ; then squares planted with pyramid and 

 vase-shaped trees, margined with borders of espaliers ; at other times espaliers 

 entirely occupy the squares. The wall and the espalier trees in spring are 

 protected from spring frosts by movable shelters made of straw, wood, or 

 glass. Commercial fruit culture is practised in the neighbourhood of Paris at 

 Montreuil, Bagnolet, Deuil, Sannois, Montmorency, Argenteuil, &c., and more 

 or less throughout France ; Williams's Bon Chretien pear in Anjou ; apples 

 at Mans and Auvergne, where every variety of Reinette is cultivated and 

 sent to Paris ; apricots at Triel (S. et O.), and grapes at Thomery and at 

 Maurecourt are specialities. Lyonnais and the south provide early and white- 

 heart cherries and peaches from the open air ; the east and the region of Agen 

 furnish cherries for the manufacture of " kirsch," and plums for preserving ; 

 while the neighbourhood of Paris gives the English cherry, and Montmorency 

 fresh plums, &c. 



In order to perfect the production of fruit for the home and foreign markets 

 some experiments have been made, notably in the department of L'Oise, at 

 M. Labitte's, where a farm has been planted. The arrangement adopted is as 

 follows: Lines of standards are planted at 10 metres from each other. Until 

 these standards cover the space, a row of vase-shaped apple trees is planted 

 between them, at 5 mitres from the standards ; then at 2 metres from the apple 

 trees (forming a line on either side), two rows of pyramid pear trees ; and 

 finally, to the right and left of the standards, at i mitre distant, groups of 

 currant bushes. So much for the large open squares ; others are planted with 

 single and double espaliers. Finally, the walls of the enclosure are covered 

 with vines and peaches. 



Trained Fruit Trees. — In place of the ancient custom of planting trees 

 one year old, almost everywhere in France fruit trees already formed or half 

 formed are now made use of. These trees being well prepared, well trained, 

 and carefully taken up, take root again as well as maiden trees, bear fruit 

 much sooner and more abundantly, and the fruit is better. The cost at first 

 appears greater, though really it is more economical, for stocks treated in 



