ODD METHODS OF PRl'MING AND TRAINING 381 



three to six, distributed regularly along the principal stem. The 

 simple palmctte or palm leaf has a larger number of lateral branches. 

 The Palmette Verrier differs from the preceding only in the fact 

 that after a certain distance its branches grow ^ ertically. Palmettes 

 are formed with 6, 7, 8, 10, 12 branches, and even with more. 



285. The horizontal cordon in detail.* — When grown in a simple 

 horizontal cordon, the pear tree consists of a stem bent at a dis- 

 tance of 15 inches above ground, then trained horizontally and 

 covered with fruit-bearing branches. The cordons are trained 

 as much as possible toward the strongest light. If the plantation is 

 established on a slope, it is necessary to train the cordons toward 

 the summit of the slope. Only pears grafted on quince stock, and 

 apple trees grafted on Paradise or Doucin stock, can be thus grown. 



Pear trees and apple trees grafted on their own stock are too 

 vigorous, as they require (for otherwise they would remain sterile) 

 more room than the horizontal cordon allows. One-year-old apple 

 cions grafted on Paradise stock must be planted at a distance of 10 

 feet from each other. One-year-old apple cions grafted on Doucin 

 stock, and pears on quince stock, must be planted at a distance of 

 12 feet from each other. 



The first year they are cut at a distance of about 2>< inches above 

 ground, and near a bud located on the side toward which the stem 

 is to be inclined. In the autumn or in the following spring, these 

 cions are gradually bent. But if the part beyond the bend must 

 be strictly horizontal, it is necessary that the extremity of the cordon 

 be slightly raised, in order to facilitate the flow of sap and con- 

 sequently the elongation of the cordon. 



From this time, the yearly growth of the cordon must be cut in 

 such a way as to preserve two-thirds or three-fourths of its length. 

 It is soon covered with branches, some of which are fertile (that is, 

 bearing fruit-producing buds), while the others, or sterile ones, 

 must be cut away. This kind of treatment prevents them from ob- 

 taining too large a growth, thus still more destroying their fertility. 



286. Cherry growing in orchard houses.f— The method of growing 

 cherries in Rivers's orchard houses is gi\-en below in detail. Most 

 of the trees are grafted on cherry stock, except the Duke cherries 

 and Early Rivers and Governor Wood, which are grafted on mahaleb 

 stock. They are never lifted nor replanted before potting. 



Early in autumn one and two-year-old trees are taken up, their 

 roots shortened so they can be put into the pots without breaking, 

 and planted in 8 or 12-inch pots. This potting must be done care- 

 fully and the trees must be set so deep the big roots near the sur- 

 face will be covered with an inch of soil. Cover the bottom of 

 the pots Avith a good, thick layer of drainage. The soil used in 

 potting is a light, sandy loam, enriched with one-third of well- 

 decayed fertilizer. It is important to firm the soil well around 



* G. Ad. Bellair, "Les Arbres Fruitiers," Paris, l.»91. Page 164 (2S5), 

 I A. K. Andersen in "Araerican Garden," .XIII, 594 (286). 



