ODD METHODS OF PRUNING AND TRAINING 379 



276. Espalier fences generally may be placed to advantage in a 

 kitchen garden, as they occupy but little space, and produce an 

 abundance of fine fruit. They may be used as a border near the 

 paths, or at the back of the flower border, which is usually arranged 

 on either side of the central walk, but there are also other positions 

 outside the kitchen garden where they can be placed to advantage. 

 If the fruit is well grown such fences present an artistic appearance 

 (Fig. .300), and are admissible even in the ornamental garden, or may 

 be used as a division between the ornamental and the kitchen garden. 



The fences themselves are usually formed of galvanized iron 

 posts, with wires stretched between. They require at each end a 

 strong post of angle iron with anchor feet and stays, to bear the 

 strain of tightening the wire. The intermediate posts need be only 

 flat iron with anchor feet. For the ordinary horizontal form of 

 training, 5 to 6 feet in height will be sufficient, but if made high 

 enough — say 7 to 9 feet — these fences are very good for training 

 cordons upon. Gooseberries may also be trained upon low espalier 

 fences of 3 to 4 feet in height, and when trained as double cordons, 

 or as palmettes with 3 to 5 brandies, they produce the finest possible 

 fruit; and this mode is strongly recommended for growing the 

 choice dessert varieties. 



277. Wire arches may sometimes be suitably introduced into the 

 kitchen garden, spanning some of the paths. They occupy but little 

 ground space, and afford excellent means for the training of cordons. 

 They give a pleasant shade to the path, trees are well supported, 

 and the fruit spread out to the full effect of the sun. In some 

 respects they are better for training the cordon trees than ordinary 

 espaliers. The turn at the top gives the gentle check to the upright 

 flow of sap so desirable for securing fine fruit at the base of the tree. 



278. Wooden fences sometimes are so placed as to be available 

 for fruit. A wooden fence is in no case so good as a wall, as in 

 the best of them there is always some draft, so the same uniform 

 teniperature is not maintained as in the case of walls which, from 

 their greater substance, retain warmth during the night. Never- 

 theless, wooden fences are very useful for fruit. They should always 

 be wired before planting the trees, as it is difficult to nail to the 

 wooden fences, while wire also possesses other advantages. 



Many wooden fences surrounding the gardens of suburban villas 

 might be turned to very useful account, and would afford the over- 

 wrought brain-worker healthful and interesting employment in cul- 

 tivating fruit trees, as well as enable him to supply his own table 

 with the freshest of fruit. There are also numberless wooden fences, 

 as well as walls, in many of our farms and homesteads, which could 

 be turned to profitable account by covering thero with fruit trained 

 as above described. 



279. The pyramid* is an old and good form, suitable especially 

 for pear trees. Its advantages are, that it can be cultivated in 



• D. Bois, "Le Petit Jardin," Paris, 264 (279 to 284). 



