1869.] CULTIVATION OF Hx\RDY FRUITS. 207 



so tliat he may clearly compreliend what are our reasons for preferring 

 the "free" to the Paradise or any other stock for this district. We 

 prefer it because it is more hardy, and can resist better the evil influ- 

 ences of the moisture and wetness of the locality, and because it is 

 better adapted for resisting the severe frosts which often succeed a 

 continuation of wet weather in early spring and winter. We should, 

 however, prefer the Paradise stock if it combined the good quali- 

 ties in these particulars which are possessed by its more robust 

 brother. When visiting Springwood Park, the seat of Sir George 

 Douglas, in Pioxburghshire, lately, I was favoured, through the goodness 

 of Mr Wemyss, Sir George's able gardener, with a few stocks of a 

 variety of Crab which has grown for hundreds of years in what is now 

 called the Abbey Park, and which at one time was the property of the 

 monks who inhabited Kelso Abbey. There are two trees standing 

 together near the centre of the park, and tradition says — and appear- 

 ance guarantees — that both had been planted by the monks. If this 

 be so, they cannot be less than 325 years old ; and in all probability 

 they are much older, as the Abbey of Kelso was finally reduced to its 

 present ruinous state in 1545. The two trees are as different in appear- 

 ance the one from the other as day is from night. The one is strong, 

 vigorous, and very healthy, and at a distance presents the appearance 

 of a huge beech-tree. The trunk cannot be less than 10 feet in circum- 

 ference, with a clear stem from 12 to 15 feet, from which the branches 

 diverge in all directions, until they cover a space of ground which must 

 be nearly 300 feet in circumference. It rises to a height of 60 or 70 

 feet, and is altogether b}'' far the most noble tree of the kind I ever 

 beheld. The other is quite a pigmy beside it. Its height cannot be 

 more than 25 feet, and the tree altogether may be considered to bear 

 much the same proportions to the other in every respect. It is more 

 compact in its habit, very short-jointed, and presents a prickly appear- 

 ance much resembling a blackthorn. It is from this tree that the 

 stocks I have got have been produced ; and from the nature and habit 

 of the tree I am convinced it will make an admirable stock for the 

 Apple. Mr Wemyss showed me several trees in the gardens at Spring- 

 wood which had been grafted upon stocks raised from it, and which 

 proved how admirably they suited the purpose. Several of them had 

 been grafted seventeen years ago, and presented all the appearance of 

 healthfulness and good constitution which could be desired, while they 

 were dwarfed in their growth equally as much as if the Paradise stock 

 had been used. Their height would be between 5 and 6 feet, forming 

 trim little bushes full of plump and healthy blossom-buds ; and Mr 

 Wemyss assured me that no trees in the garden gave more regular or 

 better fruit. Now this is the sort of stock which we require ; and if it 



