12 FRUIT AND ITS CULTIVATION. 



The Pearmain variety is referred to as early as 1200. 

 The Golden Pippin, a famous apple in the reign of King 

 Henry VIII. , was raised in Sussex. This was held in such 

 high esteem for its exquisite flavour that it is said Catherine 

 of Russia used to have annual consignments of its fruit 

 sent from England for her own table. The Devonshire 

 Quarrenden, Juneating, and Golden Russet are examples 

 of the very old varieties grown in our orchards and gardens 

 at the present day. 



Propagation. Apples trees may be increased by seeds, 

 cuttings, layers, budding, and grafting. By seeds is only 

 advised for the purpose of rearing new varieties. By cut- 

 tings, again, is a slow process, and serves no useful 

 purpose. Layering is not recommended for a similar 

 reason. The usual methods practised in this country are 

 shield budding in July or August and grafting in March. 

 Budding and whip grafting are suitable methods for young 

 stocks, and rind or crown grafting for large stocks. (See 

 article on 4< Propagation.") 



Stocks. For budding and grafting purposes it is essen- 

 tial to have young trees reared from seed or layers, to serve 

 as stocks for the buds or grafts. The stocks generally 

 used for apple trees are the Crab, the Seedling Apple, or 

 "Free" stock, and the various forms of the Paradise Apple. 

 The Crab is the wild apple of our hedgerows and woods, 

 and seeds or pips of this, collected from the ripe fruit, and 

 sown in due course, produce Seedling Crab trees, which are 

 available for budding or grafting. Moreover, the Crab is 

 the hardiest of all stocks, and hence is specially adapted for 

 exposed positions, orchard culture, and the poorer and 

 lighter classes of soil. 



The Seedling Apple is any kind of cider or Codling Apple 

 reared from seed. Such stocks naturally vary much in 

 habit, and hence do not produce* trees so uniform in growth 

 as the Crab. Apples worked upon such stocks grow away 

 freely, and are better suited for culture in rich soils than 



