no 



THE GARDENER'S ASSISTANT. 



is especially suited either for training to trel- 

 lises or walls. The vertical espalier forms a 

 good tree, but is best adapted for the weaker- 

 growing varieties. This is sometimes termed 

 the "grid-iron" form of training, the branches 

 rising vertically from the main stem trained 

 horizontally to the right and left. The indi- 



to and requiring the same kind of treatment as 

 vertical cordons. 



The Palmette Verrier (fig. 908) may be con- 

 sidered an extension of the last-named systems 

 of training, and under that method handsome 

 and useful trees can be formed, especially against 

 walls. The lower branches are trained horizon- 



vidual branches may then be regarded as similar tally to the full extent of the lateral space to be 



Pig 908 —Palmette Verrier Tear-trees. 



allowed to the tree, and then turned up at right 

 angles, thus completing their growth in the same 

 style as the vertical cordon stems. Each succes- 

 sive pair of branches is treated in the same 

 way, at the allowed distance within the others, 

 the whole tree when fully developed thus 

 having a square outline. Mr. E. Luckhurst 

 adopted this method of training Pear-trees in 

 Sussex with great success, and the trees for a 

 number of years have proved highly satisfac- 

 tory. The wall space is occupied in a very 

 economical manner, and the check caused by 

 the sharp angle at which the branches are 

 turned prevents undue luxuriance of growth 

 and promotes fertility. 



Cordon training (figs. 909, 910), either in the 

 horizontal, vertical, or oblique forms, is adapted 

 for the Pear on trellises or walls, and handsome 

 fruits can be had from such trees under the best 

 treatment. A considerable portion of the finest 



exhibition fruits which appear at the leading 

 shows are produced by cordon trees in favour- 

 able situations. The horizontal cordons, either 

 single or double, are best fitted for marginal 

 borders near paths, but most of the other forms 

 are well adapted for walls or trellises, and per- 

 mit a number of varieties to be grown in a 

 moderate space, thus obtaining a long succes- 

 sion if that is desired. 



Few other forms of training for Pears are 

 adopted in Britain, but in France some very 

 elaborate trees are produced with the expendi- 

 ture of much time and care. Some of these 

 are formed by the approach grafting of the 

 branches of neighbouring espaliers, so that 

 various geometrical designs are produced. 

 Others are formed by the adjoining branches 

 of the same tree being looped and intergrafted 

 to produce vase or balloon-shaped specimens 

 that are attractive as curious examples of the | 



