28 Fruits and Fruit- Trees. 



October, 1883, when two hundred and thirty-six exhibi- 

 tors placed upon the tables no fewer than ten thousand 

 one hundred and fifty dishes, illustrating two thousand 

 and twenty different varieties, of which the judges allowed 

 one thousand five hundred and forty-five to be truly dis- 

 tinct. With a view to determining the best, a poll was 

 taken on the votes of a hundred and thirty of the exhibi- 

 tors, the result being that among dessert apples " King 

 of the Pippins" won the honours. "Cox's Orange" coming 

 next, and the " Ribston Pippin " third. Of the culinary 

 apples in cultivation "Lord Suffield" was considered the 

 best; then "Dumelow's Seedling;" and thirdly, "Keswick 

 Codling." A " codling," it may be remarked, is any apple 

 that requires cooking, as illustrated in Shakspere,* and in 

 the congenerate word "pease-cod," literally green or 

 unripe pease. In reference to the judgments at the 

 Congress, there was naturally considerable difference of 

 opinion, some apples being more popular simply because 

 better known in particular districts than others quite 

 equal in quality. Some kinds, moreover, excellent when 

 the crop can be secured, are disappointing because apt 

 to fall prematurely from the tree; or because, though 

 they ripen well, they are of inferior " keeping " power. 

 The apple perfect in all respects the best " all-round " 

 sort has yet to be certified. The cultivator must be 

 satisfied with a good percentage of merit, and any one 

 about to plant a garden or orchard must consult growers 



* " Not yet old enough for a man, nor young enough for a boy, 

 as a codling when 'tis almost an apple." Twelfth Night, i. 5. 



