RATIONAL FRUIT CULTURE. 43 



It should be allowed to extend upwards unchecked, if the 

 branches grow satisfactorily, but if they do not, it should 

 be shortened in its turn. Some side-shoots may be allowed 

 to grow on the branches, the others being cut back to form 

 spurs, or all of them may be so cut back. 



THE PRLNING OF PLUMS AND CHERRIES. 



It will have been observed that in the foregoing directions 

 only Apples and Pears are mentioned. The less Plums and 

 Cherries are pruned the better. It may be necessary when 

 they are planted, to shorten them, thin them, or cut away 

 certain shoots, and sometimes even to repeat the operation 

 in subsequent years; but, as a rule, they are not improved 

 by much pruning, and it renders them more susceptible to 

 disease. It would hardly be practicable to protect every small 

 wound, but, in order to prevent the entrance of insects and 

 disease germs, tar should be applied to all large wounds, those 

 made with a saw. The cut should be smooth, and never hori- 

 zontal, always sloping, so that water may not lie on the 

 surface. 



CORDONS AND ESPALIERS. 



Two other forms of trees remain to be dealt with, the 

 cordon and the espalier. The ordinary cordon has two hori- 

 zontal branches, one on each side of the stem, about two feet 

 from the ground. The stem is stopped just above these 

 branches, which are trained out at full length, and allowed 

 to extend as far as they will, or as far as there is room for 

 them, all side-shoots being cut back to spurs in the manner 

 described under bushes. This form of cordon is often grown 

 around the plots in the kitchen gardens, and is excellent for 

 the purpose, for it occupies very little space, and does not 

 intercept the sunshine. Another form — with vertical, instead of 

 horizontal branches — is sometimes grown against walls. If 



