THE European methods of training fruits to trellises and walls are looked upon as wholly inapplicable to American conditions, yet they can often be employed to good advantage. It is true that our climate does not demand such pains, nor is the system profitable in most conditions, but one who loves good fruit and finds pleasure in handling plants will be gratified with a few espalier or wall trees. The espalier training is essential in the forcing of most fruits, as the nectarine and peach, but they are comparatively few who force these plants in America.

Briefly stated, the reasons for definite training of fruit trees are these : to heighten the flavor and color, to increase size of the fruit, and to advance the season of maturity. These advantages are accomplished largely because of the greater amount of heat and light which the individual fruits receive; but much is no doubt due to the greater attention to manuring and tilling which always attends an extra endeavor.

Fig. 2 Pear Trained on Wires.

Fig. 1. A Wall-trained Pear Tree.

Training to a wall is a favorite practice. Where late spring frosts are not feared, a wall with a direct southern exposure is desirable. Upon such wall the seasons of growth and maturity are greatly enhanced. But in many places a south exposure is positively unsafe and a wall facing east or west is preferable. In fact, a north wall, in our hot climate, may give the most gratifying results. There can be no better apricots in this country than those grown at the home of the Hon. James Wood, at Mt. Kisco, N. V., and his trees are trained upon north walls, where the sun cannot strike the trees before three o'clock.

If a wall of brick or stone is not available, the side of a building or even a board fence may be utilized. Those who have visited the grounds of Ellwanger & Barry will recall a large St. Ambroise apricot trained on the side of a barn. A perfect specimen of wall-trained pear-tree is shown in Fig. l, which is reproduced from a photograph taken by the writer upon the estate of the Duke of Westminster, Chester, England.

In espalier training, some sort of trellis is substituted for the wall. This trellis is often a cheap affair made of stakes driven into the ground, and held in place by cross-slats. But a wire trellis is usually better and is in common use. This trellis is not unlike an ordinary grape trellis, except that it is usually more strongly built. Fig. 2, taken at Gartenbau Hochschule, near Berlin, is a good illustration of a pear-tree trained upon wires.

It is a simple matter, in principle, to train a tree to a wall or espalier. The only difficulty is the disposition to slight the work. The form which the tree is to a take must first be decided upon, and then operations must be begun upon the tree the first or second year after it is set. A single trunk may be allowed to grow, from which arms are taken at various heights, as in Fig. 2, or the tree may be trained fan-shaped, all the branches starting from nearly a common point, as in Fig 1. The fan-shaped method is the most popular for walls, and is easily managed. It is often a good practice, in this method, to allow the tree to grow at will the first year, and then cut it down to within a few inches of the ground the second year. This insures a strong root, and good branches and rapid ensuing growth may be had for the training process.

L. H. B.