86 THE GARDENER. [Feb. 



variety I met with at Belford Hall Gardens : it measured 4^^ inclies in diameter, 

 and was one of upwards of lift}'- fruits gathered from a standard scarcely 5 feet 

 high : forty of those fruits were 9 inches in circumference. Mr Anderson, the 

 gardener, showed me fifty trees, Apple and Pear, all of uniform propor- 

 tions, the cultivation of which reflected the highest credit on his care and 

 judgment. All the Ajtple - trees were grafted on what is known as the 

 '^ Paradise stock," which is less vigorous in its habit of growth than the 

 "crab," sending out roots more disposed to spread near the surface of the 

 ground, and therefore more within the inlluence of sun-heat than if descend- 

 ing deep into the subsoil. The Pears were on the "Quince stock," a let^s 

 vigorous grower than the " Pear stock." Those trees are formed into hand- 

 somely trained bushes, which, Mr Anderson informed me, have been most 

 productive ever since they were })lanted. 



Many other examples of high culture and fruitfulne&s I came across, 

 amongst which I must notice instances at Doxford Hall, belonging to Major 

 Browne. The gardens here are in excellent order, well furnished with valu- 

 able plants, both outdoor and indoors. The plant-houses, which are numer- 

 ous, are large and commodious structures, of fine appearance, and most con- 

 venient for plant -growth. Mr Bachelor, the head gardener, showed me into 

 the well-furnished fruit-room, where there was a fine display of Apples, con- 

 spicuous amongst which was Warner's King : from one small standard he 

 gathered upwards of seventy immense fruits, many of them more than 4 inches 

 in diameter. At the gardens of Lilburn Tower, noted for their excellency 

 and beauty, and also for the quality of the fruit-produce, Apple England's 

 Queen is the favourite as a kitchen sort : in size and other qualities it ranks 

 about equal with the other sorts mentioned. Mr Deas, the gardener, in- 

 formed me of the heaviest crop being taken from a tree 5 feet high, known 

 as "Stirling Castle." It produced upwards of 200 superior fruits. The 

 other favourites at Lilburn Tower are Kerry Pippin, a medium-sized first-rate 

 table Apple, which produces well both on a wall or as a standard ; Thorle Pippin, 

 which used to be so much esteemed as a dessert Apple in this country, owing 

 to its rich and distinct flavour, and as an abundant and sure bearer as a 

 standard, and worthy a place on a wall ; Golden Rennet, much commended 

 as a table Apple; Keswick Codlin, bears well, and is second to none for 

 kitchen use; Ribston Pippin — the examples of which on this occasion sur- 

 passed all I have seen, so rich were their golden russet colour, although the 

 crop was rather spare this season. Cockpit is a kitchen variety, much 

 esteemed throughout Northumberland, bearing this year a large crop of fruit. 

 Cellini ranks high also as a bearer in cold districts : I found a heavy crop on 

 a wall in Miss Ballantyne's garden at Walkerburn, near Innerleithen, where 

 scarce an Apple was to be seen on other sorts. Hawthornden is another good 

 Apple for culinary purposes, seldom failing to produce a crop. Graven- 

 stein is a sure bearer, and serviceable both for table and kitchen purposes. 

 Irish Peach, a model table fruit, unsurpassed in quality as an early and 

 sure cropper, ripe in August on standards. Golden Pippin is a certain 

 cropper of the best table fruit. Manx Codlin stands in the first rank 

 among kitchen Apples for autumn use, This is an immense cropper in the 

 north of England, as also Yorkshire Greening, which is widely known for 

 its long-keeping quality. 



Of Pears I have a less number to enumerate. The Hazel showed the 

 greatest profusion on very old standards about Morpeth. It is much prized 

 in this district among market-gardeners, owing to the sureness of its crops : 



