236 



Tlixrd jpruning . — ^The fruit branches are pruned to three 

 or four buds, to induce the lower wood buds to push and 

 form new wood for the next season. 



The main branches are cut back to ten or twelve inches 

 above the previous pruning, to a bud on the -front to con- 

 tinue the branch; the buds selected to produce another 

 series of secondary branches, must all be on the side ojypo- 

 site the j^revious ones. If the position of the buds renders 

 this impossible, then they may all be chosen on the same 

 side as the first. 



The hoops this year will require to be larger in dia- 

 meter than the preceding, in order to give increased width 

 to the vase as it proceeds upwards. All the other opera- 

 tions are conducted in the same manner. The hoops in- 

 side are placed within six to eight inches of one another, 

 and the circular branches within twelve to fifteen inches. 

 As the tree advances in age, the growth may become too 

 vigorous at the top ; and in this case, the main branches, 

 always the most vigorous, must be pruned short, and even 

 pinched during summer, to turn the sap to the benefit of 

 the weaker parts. 



These are the main points in the management of these 

 vases. It may be added, that the apple, pear, cherry, * 

 and indeed all other trees may be grown in this form^nd 

 by the same means, varying it only to suit different modes 

 of growth and bearing, and degrees of vigor. 



Hie Peach as an Espalier. — Espalier training will never 

 be practised in this country to any Y^rj great extent, and 

 therefore it may be considered, in comparison with open 

 ground systems, unimportant. Yet there are some dis- 

 tricts not so favorably situated as to be able to produce 

 peaches, aj)ricots, and nectarines, in the open ground. 

 For these a proper system of espalier training is impor- 

 tant, because in this form trees are easily protected from 



