which gives the tree an awkward and vacant appearance. The other method is to train a perpendicular shoot from the centre, and furnish the sides with branches at right angles from the main stem: this last appears to me the most simple, and the best; because it leaves no blank in the tree, and is the most easy to be accomplished.

In proceeding to form a tree of this description, select a plant of one year old from the graft, with three even shoots if possible: when planted, place five short stakes in the line the espalier is intended to be trained,— one in the centre, and two on each side, at a foot distance from each other; training the centre shoot perpendicularly to the centre stake, and the two side shoots horizontally to the four others: these must be kept at their full length till the plant has been established a year. If then it appears to be in a state of vigour, cut back the three branches; the two side ones to six inches, and the centre one to nine or ten. When the young shoots are produced from these, train the extreme or strongest one from each of the side branches horizontally. The centre shoot will have produced three shoots at least; the uppermost of which must be continued perpendicularly, and the two next beneath trained horizontally, one on each side. This will then form the espalier. This process must be continued from year to year till the tree has arrived at its intended height, which is generally about five feet.

If the centre shoot produces three others annually when cut down to nine inches, it will require seven years to complete the seven series of horizontal branches: but sometimes it happens that the centre shoot possesses sufficient vigour to produce two series, or five branches, by shortening it to eighteen inches instead of nine; if so, this advantage may be seized.

Should the tree, after having been planted a year, not possess sufficient vigour to throw out three shoots

from the centre branch, all the three branches must be cut back to two or three eyes, and a single shoot trained from each: the year following proceed as directed at first this will cause a delay in forming the tree.

After this, the horizontal shoots must be trained at length, shortening the supernumerary ones so as to form natural spurs, as directed for the open dwarfs: the spurs, also, must be treated in the same manner.

In training the espalier, it will of course have been found necessary, after the second year, to increase the number, as well as the size, of the stakes: they should be clean and straight, regularly placed, and supplied to the extent required by the tree.

If the large-fruited kitchen apples, upon crabstocks, are intended to be grown as espaliers, the branches should be trained at twelve inches distance from each other, instead of nine.