184 



JOTJBNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GABDENEE. 



[ Augnst 81, 1876. 



indeed, everywhere more or less asserts her sway, and clothes 

 onr roads and railways with her charming dress ; but it is 

 especially the Ferns with which roads and railways have to 

 contend in the charming county of Devon — the Ferns which 

 carry everywhere a soft and indescribable grace." — (The Fern 

 Paradise, by Francis George Heath.) 



INJURIES BY HAILSTORM. 



The destructive storm that occurred on the night of July 23 

 wrought such havoc in the district of Tottenham, Stoke New- 

 ington, and Hornsey that a considerable amount of personal 

 suffering as well as loss is the result. Those who have suffered 

 most severely are the nurserymen and gardeners, glass houses 

 being wrecked and standing crops crushed. In the interest of 

 the nurserymen and gardeners a subscription has been started 

 by a Committee formed for the purpose, but this subscription 

 progresses so slowly that it becomes necessary to make an 

 appeal to the public. It happens that in the locality where the 

 destruction principally prevailed those who most truly sympa- 

 thise with the sufferers are themselves losers to such an ex- 

 tent that they cannot do as they would in aid of their poorer 

 neighbours. 



It is proposed to raise £4000 at the least, and apportion it 

 in accordance with the recommendation of a survey committee 

 of practical horticulturists who have had experience in the 

 valuation of nursery stock and other outdoor properties. To- 

 wards this amount about £500 have been already subscribed, 

 the Baroness Burdett Coutts having generously given £50, 

 while the principal nurserymen have contributed liberally. Dj 

 a majority of cases where help is needed speedy aid is most 

 important, for in many instances the trade stock for 1877 must 

 be secured before the present summer wanes. Those of your 

 readers who wish to respond to this appeal may forward their 

 subscriptions to the Treasurer, Mr. Shirley Hibberd, Bridge 

 House, Stoke Newington ; to any of the branches of the London 

 and County Bank ; or to — John Fbaser, Chairman of the Com- 

 mittee, The Nurseries, Lea Bridge Road, Ley ton, E. 



EAELT APPLES. 



Dceing all seasons early Apples are coveted, but especially 

 during a season like the present are these eriBp, juicy, and de- 

 licious fruits appreciated. The dearer an article is the more 

 it is valued, and as early Apples have this season been sold at 

 a penny each, that fact is sufficient to render a supply of them 

 desirable. But apart from their scarcity early Apples may be 

 estimated on their merits. They add to the dessert a total 

 change from the soft fruits of early summer. Strawberries, 

 delicious while they last, eventually pall on the palate, and the 

 same in a degree may be said of Baspberries, Currants, and 

 even Gooseberries ; whilst Grapes, that princely fruit of almost 

 perennial virtues, cannot wholly satisfy the cravings for fruit, 

 but something more substantial is desired — something orisply 

 sweet and pleasantly brisk, and these qualities are almost ex- 

 clusively combined in Apples. 



It is a remarkable fact that in many gardens where such 

 fruits as Peaches, Nectarines, Apricots, and even Grapes are 

 produced in abundance, the supply of early Apples is quite in- 

 adequate to the demand for them. Apples there are which 

 ripen late in the season, but during July, August, and Sep- 

 tember — the very time when Apples are appreciated — they too 

 often are banging green and sour on the trees. Even when 

 extensive collections of Apples have been planted only about 

 one tree, or one tree of a sort of one or two of the earliest 

 kinds, have been included, and these, especially in seasons of 

 light crops like the present, have been quite insufficient to 

 produce the desired supply of fruit. In all gardens having to 

 supply families of a considerable size not less than two or 

 more trees of a sort should be planted of the standard kinds of 

 early Apples. Even if the trees at times produce more fruit 

 than is required for the dessert no great fault has been com- 

 mitted, for nearly all early Apples are delicious when cooked, 

 and some of the sorts are free bearers and profitable. 



Some of the earliest dessert Apples are rather Bhy bearers, 

 and on that account, perhaps, they have not been so freely 

 planted as they would have been were they productive. But 

 inespective of their bearing properties, their earliness and 

 refreshing qualities should ensure them a place in most gardens ; 

 and their shyness, so far from acting as a deterrent, should act 

 the other way, and, instead of one, three or more trees should 

 be planted to insure a supply of dessert fruit. I am intimately 



acquainted with a nobleman's garden which contained three 

 old trees of the Joanneting which during most years produced 

 a fair sprinkling of fruit, and which was always appreciated. 

 These trees were, however, in the estimation of the gardener 

 inconveniently placed, and after frequent applications made 

 for their removal the owner at last reluctantly gave his consent, 

 a consent whioh he ever regretted, so greatly did the family 

 miss the crispness and vinous flavour of their favourite sum- 

 mer Apples. This is probably the earliest Apple of the year, 

 and when gathered off the tree it is most refreshing, but it 

 does not keep long, nor is it required to do so when there 

 are other good sorts which immediately follow. It should be 

 grown because of its earliness and desirable table qualities. 

 This kind has many names, as Juneating, Golden Beauty, 

 Ginetting, Ac, and unfortunately more than one kind is culti- 

 vated under the same name. The true Joanneting is a small 



Fig. 21. — Joanneting. 



Apple, round and slightly conical, smooth, and of a bright 

 yellow on the sun Bide, and occasionally tinged with red ; on 

 the shaded side it is greenish yellow. The tree is a good 

 grower, and also bears fairly well when grown on the Paradise 

 stock. It is a very old Apple, and from the fact of its having 

 ripened occasionally at the end of June when grown on a wall 

 its name of " Juneating " is by some said to have been derived. 

 Dr. Hogg, however, in his "Fruit Manual" does not believe 

 this to be the correct derivation, and clearly traces the name 

 from Joannina, an Apple ripening about St. John's day, which 

 is undoubtedly, the period of ripening of this favourite Apple. 

 I submit a section of a fair example of the Joanneting, Bhowing 

 its true form. I recommend this Apple as worthy of being 

 grown by all who do not possess it, and as an Apple that is 

 sure to be appreciated during the sultry period of its ripening. 



Another valuable early Apple which is by no means com- 

 monly cultivated iB the Summer Golden Pippin. I have found 



Fig. 22.— Summer Golden Pippin. 



this to be of the greatest value by its earliness, firm juicy 

 fleBh, and sparkling flavour. It is considerably larger than 

 the Joanneting, and the tree is a good bearer. It is dwarf 

 grower, and is well suited for the bush form of culture. When 

 grafted on the Paradise stock it commences bearing when in 



