Training
This term, as used in gardening, refers to the management of trees and plants, more especially when in a young state, by regulating their branches to give all a fair amount of space and exposure to light. Many trees and plants, if allowed to grow in a natural way, would assume proportions far beyond the limited accommodation which is available for them when under cultivation, and, besides, would be crowded and unfruitful. Pruning is first of all necessary, but with it Training is closely associated; the branches that are reserved either temporarily or permanently, when pruning, have afterwards to be dealt with in a similar manner in Training. Besides disposing of branches to give all plenty of space and light, there is also the necessity for regulating them, so as to prevent the sap flowing to any one branch, or part of the plant, at the expense of another, and to the detriment of both. An unequal flow of sap causes over-luxuriance in one part, and weakness in another. By Training, much of this irregularity may be prevented; in fact, it is one of the principal objects to be kept in mind. It is pretty generally known, by persons engaged in gardening pursuits, that sap will flow most readily into straight branches, which pass from the root in an upright, or nearly upright, direction, and not so freely into others proceeding obliquely or horizontally from the same starting-point. If, therefore, a tree, which it is desired should be about equally strong in all its branches, shows--as naturally it will do if not attended to--a disposition to grow irregulary, it must be corrected at an early stage. This constitutes one of the principal objects which may be effected by Training. The fact of sap flowing most forcibly into branches trained in an upright direction, supplies the means, as by elevating or depressing the points during the growing season, according to vigour shown, the circulation may be encouraged, or checked, in a most marked manner, and the development will be more generally alike throughout. In the management of cultivated trees, several methods of Training are adopted, some kinds, and also some positions, being better adapted for one than for another. Fruit-trees are those more especially referred to; it is an easy matter to train annual climbers, both indoors and out, if only the necessary requirements of the plant are kept in view. The same may also be said of creepers or trailers generally, when their shoots are sufficiently thinned out. The methods of Training a plant to a rather, on a wire trellis, or round a certain number of sticks, are matters which scarcely need an explanation.
The principal methods of Training adopted for wall-fruit trees are the Fan, Horizontal, Oblique, and Cordon, all being subject, more or less, to modifications; for the open ground, Pyramids, Bushes, and Standards are the shapes most favoured. Fan Training is generally adopted for stone fruits--Apricots, Cherries, Peaches, and Plums. The trees may be worked on dwarf or tall stocks, but on the latter the system is often modified by bringing some of the branches down on either side of the stom when there is space.
Fan Training must be commenced on maiden trees, that is, trees which have been worked the previous year and have made one strong shoot. This is cut down nearly to the point of union, in order to induce the production of shoots there from to eventually form the principal branches. One of the chief conditions to be aimed at in Fan Training is to get the head equally balanced, by having the same number of shoots on one side of the centre as on the other, as shown, for example, If sufficient can be secured the first year for starting an evenly-balanced head, an advantage is gained which the tree will always show afterwards. Should a young tree start irregularly, and misplaced shoots be allowed to develop for a season, it is not an easy matter then to secure others where they are wanted from the base. Sometimes, trees are cut hard back a second time, but this is a most objectionable practice; the less severe cutting is resorted to, the better, as it invariably leads to branches dying away sooner or later. By regulating the young shoots, depressing the stronger and elevating the weaker ones, much may be done to equalise the flow of sap, and render them all of about equal dimensions at the end of the season. In this and in other systems of Training, much has to be known by the operator from practical experience in the work, and constant attention is necessary from the first, to keep the shoots properly disposed and the sap regulated. Fig. 72 represents a tree trained without a centre shoot; the sap in such a tree would be equally distributed on both of the sides, and it is a comparatively easy matter to get the centre filled up when once the sides are equalised and the main branches established.
Horizontal Training is largely employed for Pear-trees, and sometimes for Apples that are to be grown against walls or as Espaliers in the open ground. Espalier trees are sometimes trained on horizontal wires, as shown When there is a great length, and in a straight line, wires are preferable to stakes, if only for their durability. A young tree with a single upright stem is cut down to about 12in. from the ground, provided there are three buds situated near that point, one on either side, and one in an eligible position for growing to form the leader. The two side shoots should be trained on an angle for the first year, and induced to grow, if possible, with equal vigour; they can afterwards be gradually brought down to a horizontal line, to form bottom branches. At pruning time the next year, the leader is again cut down immediately above three other buds similarly situated as in the first year, but some 10in. or 12in. higher up, according to the distance required between the horizontal branches. Thus the work proceeds each year every pair of branches is therefore, in an established tree, a year older than the pair situate immediately above. Unfortunately, it is not safe to attempt more than one step up each year, although, with vigorous trees and a good climate, two may occasionally be secured by stopping the centre shoot in summer at the proper distance up, and training the laterals. This is not recommended, as it cannot be expected that a lateral from a young shoot will ever mature and form a branch equal in strength to another which starts from a ripened bud. Some prefer Training the branches on either side, so that they come alternately but it is not always certain that every branch can be secured just at the point where it is wanted to insure alternate regularity.
In Oblique Training, a centre stem is reserved as in the Horizontal method; but the side branches are allowed to point upwards, instead of being kept to a level. This allows a freer circulation of sap, for the reason which has been already explained: the system, therefore, favours weak-growing sorts, and may be adopted with success for Peaches and Nectarines, where the Horizontal would not answer.
Cordon Training admits of a large number of trees being cultivated in a comparatively small space. Apples, Pears, and Cherries, the fruits of which are borne on small spur branches, are specially adapted for Training as Cordons. They need but little room, as the branches may be kept pinched back during summer. Single Cordons consist only of a single stem, which may be formed from a strong maiden tree. These may often be planted about 2ft. apart, and trained obliquely, as shown Other oblique forms of Cordons are trained with two, or even three stems Horizontal Cordons are best adapted for training along the sides of walks, or to form an edging or boundary to fruit-tree quarters, &c. The method of Training a Double Horizontal Cordon is shown and the Single, which is necessary for the ends, or where there are intersecting walks, Pyramid Training is available for Pears, Apples, and Plums, also Cherries for pot-culture, and for outside in places where they can be depended upon to succeed away from a wall. There are several modifications of Pyramid Training, that most generally seen being an upright stem furnished with branches from bottom to top, which vary in length, so as to form a pyramidal outline The branches require regulating and stopping, as the trees grow, to keep a free circulation amongst them; and to obtain good specimens it is necessary to adopt a considerable system of Training in the early stages, by tying branches to fill up blanks, depressing the points of vigorous shoots, and encouraging weaker ones to grow more freely. When Pyramids are inclined to grow unduly strong, and make long shoots in place of fruiting spurs, a method of tying or bending down the points of the branches may be practised with advantage, on some of the strongest only, if this is considered sufficient. The tree would then appear as a habit which is sometimes naturally assumed by large pyramid Pear-trees of some varieties. Bush trees are practically Pyramids with the leader taken out; they need but little in the way of Training beyond thinning to prevent overcrowding. Bush-trained trees of Apples and Pears, the former worked on the Paradise-stock, and the (latter on the Quince, are especially adapted for small gardens: they are usually very productive, and require but little space.
Standard Training is best suited for orchards, market gardens, &c., where grass is grown beneath, and cattle or sheep feed thereon, or where other crops and bush fruit-trees are cultivated amongst them. There is no great necessity for Training Standard trees artificially; their heads develop evenly enough, as a rule, if they are kept sufficiently thinned, after being shortened back for the first year or two to get the foundation. Standard Training is suitable for Apples, some kinds of Pears, Plums, and Cherries, in favoured localities. A Half-Standard is simply a Standard with a shorter stem. Vertical or Upright Training requires a considerable amount of management in keeping the upright shoots regulated and the tree evenly balanced. Two shoots must first be trained horizontally, and their points turned to form the uprights at the extreme ends These must be kept in advance of all the others in the Training process; the centre will then be the last part of the tree to be furnished. This system is not so widely practised as others which have been already noticed.
Apple-trees trained in the shape of a vase, with dwarf stem are very ornamental for lawns, &c., apart from the value of the fruit which is generally produced by them when established and kept pruned annually. References to the methods of Training adapted to the various kinds of fruits named may be found under Cherry, Currant, Fig, Gooseberry, Nectarine, Pear, Plum, Vine, &c.