24 THE FRUIT GARDEN. [Jan. 
eastern; however, apple and pear trees being perfectly hardy, may 
be pruned at any time during the winter months with safety^ 
plums and cherries may also be pruned any time that the weather 
is tolerably mild: and as this month will answer extremely well in 
the southern states for pruning almost all kinds of fruit-trees, it 
maybe useful to give at this time general instructions for perform- 
ing the same, which may be referred to at any other period. 
Pruning Espalier and Wall Trees. 
As some people have not a sufficient idea of what is meant by 
espaliers, the following explanation, and instructions for forming 
them, &c., may not be unacceptable. 
Espaliers are hedges of fruit-trees, which are trained up regu- 
larly to a lattice or trellis of wood work, and are commonly arranged 
in a single row in the borders, round the boundaries of the princi- 
pal divisions of the kitchen-garden; there serving a double or treble 
purpose, both profitable, useful, and ornamental. They produce 
large fine fruit plentifully, without taking up much room, and being 
in a close range, hedge-like, they in some degree shelter the escu- 
lent crops in the quarters; and having borders immediately under 
them each side, aftbrd difterent aspects for difierent plants, and also 
they afford shelter in winter, forwardness to their south-border crops 
in spring, and shade in summer; and as to ornament and variety, 
what can be more delightful in spring, in the excursion of the walks, 
than the charming appearance which the trees make when covered 
with their showy bloom, differing in themselves, in those of differ- 
ent genera, species, and varieties; or in summer, to see the fruit 
of the different sorts advancing to perfection, and in autumn arrive 
successively to maturity.^ And as the trees are arranged all of an 
equal height, not exceeding six feet, closely furnished with branches, 
ranged horizontally at regular distances one above another, from 
the very ground upwards, the fruit hereby are exhibited to great 
advantage, and being low, and the branches fixed, are convenient 
to pull, and not liable to be blown down by wind. 
An espalier has this advantage over a wall tree, that as being 
wholly detached, the branches have liberty to form fruit spurs on 
both sides, which in the wall tree cannot be effected but on one; in 
fact, common fruit-walls are unnecessary in the United States, 
except in the eastern and some of the middle states, where they 
are useful in forwarding to due perfection, and flavour, some late 
kinds of superior peaches, grapes, and other late fruits; but when 
walls are built for other purposes, and are conveniently situated, 
advantage ought to be taken of them, for raising fruit, observing to 
suit the various kinds to the various aspects. 
Trellises are also used occasionally for wall trees, where the wall 
does not admit of nailing the branches immediately against it; also 
for training wall trees in forcing-houses and forcing-frames, and are 
formed according to different degrees of taste, for use and ornament, 
as well as of different dimensions, from four or five to six, or in 
forcing-houses, to seven, eight, or ten feet high. 
