294 Disappointments of Orchardists. 



describes it nearly in the words of Macdonald, but more fully, 

 and puts a reference to Hooker's Pomona, p. 33. On this I 

 again called on Mr. Chandler, who said, " They none of them 

 know the fruit ; for it is an excellent apple, very like the Rib- 

 ston Pippin in flavour, so much so, that, judging from the 

 taste, the best judge could not tell the difference." I after- 

 wards asked the foreman to Messrs. Barr and Brooks, who 

 confirmed Mr. Chandler's statement with this modest ad- 

 dition : " In my humble opinion, it is a finer-flavoured apple 

 than the Ribston Pippin, but it will not keep so long." The 

 tree has flourished well, and has every year borne fruit. 



I have seen a coloured drawing in the seed-shop windows of 

 an apple, said to be a new sort, called the " Cellini," price 

 one guinea, which, from the wood and fruit, I really think is 

 the tree I have got from Messrs. Chandler and Co. under the 

 name of the Margil : if not, it is easy for the advertiser to for- 

 ward you some of the fruit for your candid judgment. I 

 do not know him ; but, if I am right, I think my ^brother 

 Cockneys should know that they can have, by crossing 

 the way in the Wandsworth Road, the tree at 3s., the price I 

 paid, instead of one guinea. 



I am truly rejoiced at the article in your last Magazine 

 (p. 31.) on the disappointments incidental to orchardists; it is 

 an evil that requires your serious attention, and has been 

 complained of by authors on gardening for above one hundred 

 years (see Lawrence on Gardening, 1717; Switzer's Fruit- 

 gardener, 1731; Fruit-gardener, 1768; and others, that I do 

 not recollect immediately) ; and I can assure you it is in full 

 operation at the present day. If you will allow me space in 

 another communication, I can give you a list of many tricks 

 of the kind that have come to my knowledge as having been 

 played off in my neighbourhood, and I feel certain they were 

 all done wilfully. I will not mention the names of the nur- 

 serymen, but, if any one should choose to ask the question 

 through your medium, they shall have a candid answer ; and, 

 if they have been hinted at, when and where. I can only add, 

 that I have been justly used, both in trees and price, by 

 Messrs. Chandler and Buckingham and Messrs. Barr and 

 Brookes. I really wish, according to your advice, they would 

 publish a list of prices, warranting their articles, and I am 

 certain it would answer their purpose. The former house, I 

 know, has a great choice of vines, and I believe they are 

 charged far lower than is usually done for such plants as they 

 furnish. Yours, truly, 



'Brixton Villa. Superficial. 



