XOVEMUER 1, 1913. 
the GARDENERS’ MAGAZINE. 
•> 
CORDON APPLE TREES. t 
There are benefits to be derived from 
training the apple upon the cordon prin¬ 
ciple that cannot be claimed for any other 
method, and the greatest is that it permits 
a larger number of trees to grow upon a. 
resti’icted space than by any other system. 
This is especially helpful to owners of 
small gaidens, as, apart from other gains, 
it allows them to cultiA^ate a greater num¬ 
ber of varieties, and, in this way, provided 
they select sTiitaible ones, secure a longer suc¬ 
cession of fruit they they otherwise could 
do. This mode of training is also simple, 
can therefore be easily understood, and in¬ 
volves no diflficulties in pruning ; moreover, 
the trees commence to crop at a compara¬ 
tively early stage, and, under painstaking 
management, they are distinctly prolific, and 
produce fruit of excellent quality. 
Training:. 
In training cordons there are different 
modes adopted, each suitalble for some spe¬ 
cial purpose. The most simple form—the 
single cordon, for instanoe—is the most 
suitable one to be grown horizontally, and 
is in some cases made use of in this way by 
being planted and trained to wires, placed 
near the ground, by the sides of kitchen 
garden walks, to which it affords a pleasing 
and profitable margin. It can be most pro¬ 
fitably utilised, however, if the trees are 
planted against walls, buildings, trellises, 
rails, etc. and in thcie positions it can 
be trained vertically or obliquely. For 
l>ositions of this kind that are low, or only 
moderate in height, the oblique system is 
preferable, as it permits the trees to 
attain a greater length than does the ver¬ 
tical method. It is also claimed for this 
form that the trees’ vigour is more gene¬ 
rally equalised than is the case with upright 
trees, which have a tendency to become 
weak in growth near their base as compared 
with the tops. 
The double coidon, and those with still 
more branches, are best trained vertically. 
Apart, however, from the obvious differ¬ 
ence in manlagement during their earl^ 
stages of development, they require similar 
treatment to the vertical single cordon. Yet, 
owing to tile difference refeiTed to, they 
require more time to cover a given space 
and to become fruitful than do the* single 
cordons. 
Planting:. 
..Wben preparing for planting, the land, 
it is necessary, must be drained, and in 
case it should be trenched two feet in 
depth. If this can be done at a sufficient 
length of time previous to the planting 
season for it to ]>eoome settled, an advan¬ 
tage will have been gained. The method of 
trenching adopted should depend upon the 
nature of the soil. Should this be 
of an equally good character through¬ 
out, the bottom should be brought to 
he surface, but otherwise it should 
o merely well broken up, though in 
nny ease the surface should be made fine 
^d even to receive the trees. Early in 
ovember is the best season in which to 
. ^ i. n^nd a time when the soil is in a fit 
i.e., sufficiently dry to crumble, 
s oidd be chosen for the operation. 
selected should be worked upon 
he paradise stock, as their growth is more 
suitable than in the case of those upon the 
at^ distance from each other 
which the trees are planted must, of 
<ourse, be govoriie<l according to their 
di'scription; for instance, single vertical 
cordons should be placcnl at least one foot 
apart, w'hile those of other forms should be 
so arranged that their branches are also 
this space from each other; and each, if 
placed against a ivall, should have its 
base two inches removeil from it. Kacli 
Miminer stopping, pruning, and training 
of sh(K)ts, tlie winter pruning, and, in some 
cases, root pruning; and altliough those 
operations are comparatively simple, it is 
nevertheless essential that the practitioner 
understamls the charactensties of the 
\arious forms of growths, for th© fruit- 
l)earing jiowers of tre<‘s, t'sptvittlly of those 
that have their gix)wths severely re¬ 
st riot<Ml as the corxlon luu%, <lepen<ls to a 
considerable degriH' ujion the way in which 
pruning is carried out. 
The riKiuirtmients of the inn's w ith regard 
to stimulants, such as mulching, manuring, 
and watering must also be closely attemlcd 
to, as the health of the tre<'s and the quality 
of the fruits in a givat nu'asure dejiends 
Trained dn the form commonly known as the gridiron. 
tree, before being planted, should have all 
broken and jagged ends of roots cleanly cut 
off the cuts being made from the under 
sid^. Their roots must be carefully spread, 
have fine particles of soil worked aniong^ 
them and be firmly embedded at a depth 
of about three inches. If the natural soil 
is unfavourable to plant in, much benefit 
will result from the use of a specially-pre¬ 
pared compost. These operations should 
L completed by mulching with partially- 
decayed stable manure. 
Subsequent General 
Management. 
To describe this in detail would fill too 
much space, but the chief operations may 
be briefly referred to. They consist of the 
upon this. Another matter of importance 
is that of keeping the trees clean and free 
from insec*t, fungoid, and other enemies. 
Suitable Trees for Planting. 
Though any variety of apple can be 
cultivate^!, with more or less success, upon 
the cordon principle, strong growers that 
produce large, untidy spurs are not so suit¬ 
able as those of neat habit, that naturally 
form spurs close together, and selections 
of varieties of this description can be made 
from the dessert and culinary sections. 
Trees prepared for planting can be ob¬ 
tained from any nursery in which fruit 
trees are made a speciality. 
Thos. Coomber, V.M.H. 
The Hendre Gardens. 
