MANURES FOR FRUIT TREES 193 



generally the proprietaire of his own terrain or 

 land, and therefore tills and turns every inch of 

 it to good account, knowing that his existence 

 depends upon its products. Every stretch of waU 

 or shedding that is available is covered with a 

 trained tree — usually a pear tree (Bon Chretien). 

 These trees are tended with the utmost care and 

 attention, with the result that the finest products 

 are gathered, aU of which goes to market. High 

 prices are asked by the fruiterers for the best 

 French pears. Their method of training is the 

 cordon system which ensures the largest amount 

 of fruit within the smallest space. The slender 

 growth shades nothing, the fruit is handy to 

 protect from the weather and pests, and handy for 

 gathering, and in every way the return is more 

 remunerative than from large and heavy orchard 

 trees. The French have certainly learnt how to 

 follow out the saying of Voltaire : " Cultivate your 

 gardens." 



Pruning is also a matter of prolonged study 

 and correct knowledge. The methods of culture 

 followed by the industrious proprietaires is in- 

 teresting and most instructive, especially to a 

 people who take so much pleasure and spend so 

 much money in their gardens as the British. 







