1885.] EDINBURGH APPLE AND PEAR CONGRESS. 479 



intention to publish a full report of the proceedings and the results 

 of this important Conference, as was done two years ago by the 

 sister Horticiiltural Society of England, in respect to apples alone, 

 on which occasion it held a similar exhibition. 



That there was much need for such a step on tlie part of some 

 constituted authority such as the Eoyal Caledonian Horticultural 

 Society, will be conceded by every one who has to do with the 

 culture of the apple and the pear ; and the thanks of all so interested, 

 and also of the general public, who will in the end derive the 

 greatest if not the most direct benefit from the results, are due 

 to the council and committee for having instituted the Conference, 

 and brought it so far to a most successful issue. It has been a 

 laborious task, but has been accomplished in a manner thoroughly 

 creditable to every one concerned. 



It is not in our power to do more than take a rapid glance at 

 the more salient and striking features of the show at j)resent, but 

 we may have occasion to return to the subject in a future issue. 



After making a survey of the exhibition, the first and most 

 lasting impression on the mind is the extraordinary contrast that 

 exists between the high-class quality of the samples from Kent and 

 Surrey, and the miserably poor samples from Orkney and other 

 northern districts of Scotland. Chmate has fixed the line of possible 

 perfection in tlie cultivation of the apple and pear a long way south 

 of Orkney, and the most hardy varieties, samples of which appear 

 on the exhibition tables, are so very inferior as to suggest that 

 apple-growing can be carried on in Orkney only as an interesting 

 experiment. It cannot pay nor prove satisfactory in any sense. 



Generally regarded, apples and pears are rather under-sized this 

 season, owing to the long-continued, drought which prevailed through- 

 out early and mid summer, but the crops are generally good and the 

 quality very fair. The most splendid samples, taking the collection 

 as a whole, came from Messrs. Bunyard & Co., jMaidstpne, Kent. 

 The collection comprised 300 varieties, many of which were of 

 the highest excellence. Some of the more remarkable varieties 

 were Coxe's Orange Pippin, the samples of which were superb ; 

 Blenheim Orange, remarkable for great size and splendid colour- 

 ing ; Golden Noble, a most attractive sample of great size and 

 beautiful golden colouring on all sides ; Gascoigne's Scarlet, very 

 conspicuous as regards colouring; Reinatte du Canada, grand 

 alike in size, perfection of form, and colouring; Warner's King, 

 very fine ; Annie Elizabeth, great size and handsome ; Lord 

 Derby, very attractive and handsome in form and colour. 

 Pears in this collection were extremely fine, large, luscious, and 

 tempting. The following are a few of the most notable : King 



