FRUIT TREES 



for planting is against a brick wall with a southern aspect, and 

 the system of training called " obhque cordon " is one which 

 accommodates itself more than any other to a low wall and a small 

 space. Moreover, it demands less judgment in pruning and places 

 the tree more under control than the ordinary fan-shaped method 

 of training. 



Let us assume that it is decided to utilize the border under the 

 low brick wall which faces south in the hitherto vacant garden by 

 planting fruit trees, and that, among others, a one-year old peach 

 tree is to be installed. The border itself first demands some prepara- 

 tion. It should be thoroughly drained and raised some 6 inches 

 above the ground level, but there is no need for any special richness of 

 soil — the most suitable is that which is fairly deep and of calcareous 

 consistency. It may be mentioned here that after the trees are 

 planted the soil should not be subjected to deep digging; an occa- 

 sional loosening of the earth with a fork to the depth of 6 or 8 inches 

 is aU that is required. Much damage is often done to young fruit 

 trees by deep digging with a spade, with the result that the roots are 

 lacerated and bruised and suckers thrown up, thus, perhaps, destroy- 

 ing the tree before it has even reached maturity. 



The best time for planting is October or November, while the 

 weather is open and free from severe frost. It is 

 necessary that the roots be kept carefully wrapped up ^^f^J^r" 5"^ j 

 as long as they are out of the ground, for any ex- „£ planting 

 posme to a dry wind or to frost might be fatal. Pre- 

 pare the station where the tree is to be planted by digging a small 

 pit about 2 feet square and some i8 inches deep, according to the 

 size of the roots, but no deeper than will allow the crown of the root 

 to be more than just covered. Before planting it may be necessary 

 to prune the roots by removing any portion that is broken or bruised. 

 For the obhque cordon system of training, such as is here advised, 

 the stem of the young tree — which in the case of a one-year-old 

 peach would be a single rod with budding excrescences — should be 

 laid obliquely against the waU at an angle of forty-five degrees to the 

 level of tile ground, the roots being spread carefully in a horizontal 

 position and then covered firmly with mould. Care should be taken 

 that the roots are laid as far away from the wall as can be conveniently 

 arranged, so as to give them space to ramify. The stem should then 

 be made fast to the WciU with strong nails and shreds, using caution 

 that the nails do not come in contact with the wood and never 

 bruising the tree with the hammer. 

 I 129 



