THE PEAR. 



89 



Training of Pear Trees in Vertical Cordon as 

 Double Contra Espaliers. 



Of tlie forms tliat we liave already described for 

 standard pear trees, the pyramid or cone will generally 

 be found most suitable ; the goblet form affords less 

 fruit for the same surface of ground occupied, and 

 is only suited for very hot, dry soils. The vase or 

 goblet form certainly offers some advantages; but it 

 has also grave inconveniences, amongst which are the 

 following : — 



1. The wood is not completely formed until towards 

 the twelfth year, and fruit does not appear until about 

 the fourteenth year after plantation. 



2. It requires great space, and is unsuitable for small 

 gardens. 



3. The training requires such great care and precise 

 observation, that few gardeners are found competent 

 for the task. 



4. It is almost impossible to protect the tree from 

 spring frosts. 



5. Lastly, there is an insufficient proportion between 

 the product of fruit and the ground that the tree 

 occupies. 



The form we shall now describe presents none of 

 these disadvantages. 



The double espaliers must be placed upon the ordi- 

 nary borders of the fruit-gardens ; the borders should 

 be about two yards wide, having a road between each 

 border of about a yard in width, running, as nearly as 



