[44] 



II. Observations on Horizontal Espalier Training. In a Letter 

 to the Secretary. By Mr. John Mearns, F. H. S. 



Read March 6, 1821. 



Sir, 



I transmit to you some observations on a mode of espalier 

 training for Pears and Apples, with a description, and illus- 

 tration by figures of my method of performing it. 



I do not lay claim to the merit of introducing any new 

 practice, for Hitt and others, long ago, pointed out modes of 

 training trees on walls, from which my method of espalier 

 training does not materially differ ; but no work with which I 

 am acquainted contains such directions in detail of the prac- 

 tice as will enable an inexperienced pruner to conduct a tree 

 properly from its first planting to its full formation. 



Of all the forms of open training, I conceive there are none 

 so well adapted for the garden, either for elegance of appear- 

 ance, cheapness in trellising, fruitfulness, or which will occasion 

 so little injury to the borders, and surrounding crops, as the 

 horizontal form in Espaliers. I consider five feet a convenient 

 height, and the space of twenty feet for each tree to extend 

 sufficient, but if trees on paradise or quince stocks are used, 

 then half the extent only is necessary. 



In the first stage of training, the stakes require to stand as 

 close together as twelve or fourteen inches ; and to be ar- 

 ranged in regular order to the full height of five feet ; with a 

 rail slightly fastened on the top of them for neatness sake, 



