346 THE FRUIT GARDEN 



Cordon trees are easily managed. The chief thing to do is to have a good 

 length of stem, and during growth, to pinch the shoots slightly and repeatedly. 

 Generally speaking, trees thus treated take up but little room, bear more 

 quickly than others, and give better coloured fruits. All varieties of apples do 

 well as horizontal cordons, but of pears only those varieties which bear fruit freely 

 and are not vigorous must be chosen. Horizontal cordons of pears, and apples, 

 with one or with two branches, at om.8o from the ground, are also used to 

 cover low walls, or to make a double row with those at om.40 from the ground 

 in rather large borders. 



V-Shaped Trees. — By training an apple or a pear tree so as to form the 

 letter V, a practicable form and one favourable to fruitfulness is obtained. 

 Young trees are planted at distances varying according to the height of the 

 trellis and the vigour of the variety. With a fence or trellis im.20 high, and 

 the trees om.8o apart, each arm is 2 metres long, and forms an angle of 

 35 degs. with the ground. With a high trellis it would be well to plant the 

 trees closer ; with a lower trellis, good soil, and a vigorous variety, they should 

 be planted farther apart still. 



The Trained Standard. — This form, which is obtained like any other 

 fan-trained tree, as soon as the stem is of the desired height, is used for covering 

 the upper parts of very high walls or houses while leaving the lower part free 

 — for example, between two windows. The stem, without being in the way, 

 easily finds room, and spreads its branches above. This is a lucrative way of 

 covering one's house. 



FRUIT TREES AND THEIR CULTURE 

 THE APRICOT 



The apricot, on account of its early flowering, should be planted where 

 spring frosts are not to be feared. It requires a situation sheltered as much as 

 possible from the north wind. 



Light and warm soils suit the apricot better than those which are heavy 

 and damp. 



Propagation. — In the south of France the apricot is grafted upon the 

 almond, or seedling apricot, but in the neighbourhood of Paris and the west of 

 France it is better grafted upon the St. Julien plum or the damson. It may be 

 grown either as a standard or palmate, but from trees of the latter form the 

 fruit is not so good. In order to obtain a stem recourse is had to an intermediate 

 stock. This varies with the locahty : in Anjou the St. Julien, or Gvr. d'Andr^ 

 Leroy, is used ; in Paris the St. Julien, Krazenski, &c. 



In all cases the intermediate stock is first grafted upon the St. Julien. 

 The fruit of the apricot is of considerable market value, and therefore, 

 as we have said, much grown. Around Paris, at Triel, Dijon, . Lyons, 

 Clermont Terraud, Avignon, Bordeaux, &c., bush or half-standard trees are 

 grown. 



