021 



POMACES. X. PYRUS. 



Normandy scions of cider-apples, and when he returned to 

 England encouraged the grafting them throughout the county 

 of Hereford. Hartlip in 15G6 speaks of one who had 200 sorts 

 of apples, and " verily believes that there are nearly 500 sorts 

 in tliis island." Ray in 1688 selected from the information of 

 the most skilful gardeners about London a list of 78 sorts. 

 Succeeding writers have been enabled greatly to increase the 

 list, partly from the almost continual accession of sorts received 

 from the continent during intervals of peace, but principally 

 from the great numbers raised from seeds. A variety of apple, 

 like those of most other plants, appears only to have a limited 

 duration ; and hence on taking a retrospective view of the lists 

 of sorts given by Parkinson, Evelyn, and other authors, many 

 of them are not now to be found, or are so degenerated or dis- 

 eased as no longer to deserve the attention of the planter. 

 " The moil," Mr. Knight observes, " and its successful rival the 

 red-streak, with tbentutli and golden-pippin, are in the last stage 

 of decay, and the stire and fox-whelp are hastening rapidly after 

 them." After making a great variety of experiments for several 

 years, and after many attempts to propagate every old variety of 

 the apple, this author observes (Treat, on Apple and Pear, 15.), 

 " I think I am justified in the conclusion, that all plants of this 

 species, however propagated from the same stock, partake in 

 some degree of the same life, and will attend the progress of that 

 life in the habits of its youth, its maturity, and its decay, though 

 they will not be any way affected by any incidental injuries the 

 parent tree may sustain after they are detached from it." Mr. 

 Knight next directed his attention to raising new varieties from 

 seeds, and has by crossing one sort with another, and by having 

 constantly several thousands of seedlings rearing, from which as 

 they show fruit, to select the best sorts, succeeded in producing 

 several new varieties of apples, much esteemed for the table and 

 the press. Of several of these sorts, and those obtained, ac- 

 counts will be found in the work above quoted, and in Horticul- 

 tural Transactions. Several eminent horticulturists in different 

 districts are now engaged in a similar manner, and there can be 

 little doubt a great and valuable accession will be constantly 

 made to this class of fruits. Some, however, as Williamson 

 (Hort. trans. 3. p. 291.) and Speedily (Hints, 188.) consider 

 that the deterioration of the ajiplc and other fruits may be owing 

 to the climate, and that the return of genial summers would re- 

 store to us from old trees as good fruit as heretofore. 



A numerous list of varieties may be considered as puzzling to 

 the inexperienced person, who has to select for a garden or an 

 orchard ; but if each of these varieties were correctly figured 

 and described, including the character and habits of the tree, as 

 well as the leaves, roots, blossoms, and fruit, the list could not 

 be too extensive of a fruit so universally grown and liked as the 

 apple ; for almost every garden and orchard differs in soil, cli- 

 mate, aspect or situation ; and, consequently, to be planted in 

 the best manner, must require a corresponding difference in the 

 varieties of each species of fruit with which it is to be planted. 

 Sabine, however, (Hort. trans. 3. p. 263.) considers, that the 

 stock of apples requires reduction rather than increase, and ob- 

 serves that one of the chief objects to which the attention of the 

 Horticultural Society is at present directed, is to make a judi- 

 cious selection. A great variety of apple trees in a bearing state 

 may be seen' in different nurseries both in Britain and Ireland, 

 but especially near London ; from these in the autumn the fruit 

 may be tasted from the trees, and either young plants newly 

 worked or plants in a state of bearing fixed on, and marked to 

 be taken up at the proper season. The advantages of this mode, 

 especially to such as possess but a small garden, are too obvious 

 to require comment. 



The only catalogue of apples which can be depended upon for 

 accuracy yet published, is that by the Horticultural Society of 



London in the present year, which none but a public body could 

 have brought to such perfection. It is as follows. 



The columns explain 1. The prevailing colour. 2. The usual 

 form. 3. The average size. 4. The use, whether for table, 

 kitchen, or cider. 5. The quality. 6. The usual season of per- 

 fection. The abbreviations employed are as follows : 



1. Prevailing colour. p. pale ; d. dark ; y. yellow ; r. red ; 

 g. green ; rus. russet ; str. streaked ; br. brownish. 



2. Form. Pea. pearmain-shaped ; i. e. of the form of a 

 truncated cone ; calv. calville-shaped, when the ribs of the fruit 

 are particularly prominent ; ob. oblate ; obi. oblong ; ro. round- 

 ish ; rou. round ; con. conical ; ro.-obl. roundish-oblong ; ov. 

 ovate ; ov.-obl. ovate-oblong ; obo. obovate. 



8. Size. 1. very large ; 2. middle-sized ; 3. small. 



4. Use. T. table ; K. kitchen ; C. cider. 



5. Quality. 1. first-rate; 2. second-rate; 3. indifferent or 

 bad. 



6. Season, times of ripening. The months of ripening are 

 placed in numbers beginning at Jan. for the 1st, and so on to 

 December, the 12th. 





