CHAPTER XX. 



APPLES. 



FOR general utility there are none of our hardy British 

 fruits to come near a good dessert apple tree, in full 

 bearing. Of about 1,400 distinct varieties shown at the 

 Chiswick Congress, in 1883, a large majority were only 

 of local reputation or of uncertain or inferior merit. 



Orchard apples, however, cannot be generally recom- 

 mended for planting on small holdings, as the standard 

 trees often take twenty years to get into full profitable 

 bearing, and the other systems of growing apples are 

 not yet tested sufficiently in ordinary market culture, 

 whilst the risks of the fruit not coming through all the 

 dangers of frost, etc., as a general rule make the returns 

 quite uncertain. For bearing early, and to obtain a 

 supply for home consumption, a half-dozen each of three 

 or four sorts should be planted of pyramid, cordon, 

 dwarf bush, or espalier trees, of such safe bearers as 

 Irish Peach, Kerry Pippin, King of the Pippins, and 

 Stunner Pippin. This last is one of the best of late 

 dessert apples, and another is " Court Pendu Plat." 

 Although not of large size, Colonel Vaughan is a fairly 

 good keeper till November, and a prolific handsome 

 striped fruit, that should be included in every collection 



