360 



THE PEAR AS A CORDON. 



fruiting of seedlings and testing of new kinds, it is however 

 a good plan, and if the object be to cover a wall in a short 

 time and get a qnick return, it is certainly the best way. 

 In this case it enables us to attain our ends in the shortest 

 space of time, and with the least possible waste of space. 



Some of the leading teachers of fruit culture in France 

 adopt the oblique cordon as the surest way of getting a 

 quick return, and plant extensively the finest varieties trained 



Fig. 158. Fig. 159. 



The Pear as a Simple Oblique Cordon. Oblique Cordon Pear. 2iid year. 

 1st year. Showing the first pruning 

 after planting, 



in this way ; but others ridicule the planting of trees as closely 

 as one would coleworts, and laugh at the system as only 

 profitable for the nurseryman. My opinion is that for the 

 finest kinds of winter pears and high walls it is well worth 

 adopting, provided the trees can be got at a low price. To 

 plant high priced trees so thickly would be ruinous. It 

 would be better to wait for years and allow the larger forms 

 to cover the walls in their old-fashioned way. But where 

 the cultivator can graft and raise his own trees, or procure 



