FRUIT TREES IN POTS 69 



of medium size and of excellent quality and productiveness ; it ripens ten days 

 earlier than either Bigarreau de Schreken or Early Rivers : of these two 

 varieties w^e find the former the more reliable for forcing. As regards size it is 

 a grand fruit, intensely black, very juicy, and of rich flavour. Early Rivers 

 comes in splendidly if the trees are allowed to flower naturally under glass, the 

 fruits are then a few days earlier than the earliest outdoor fruits ; next in order 

 come Governor Wood^ Frogmore Early Bigarreau^ Belle d'Orlians, and Black 

 Tartarian. All these should be included even if forcing is not attempted, and 

 the following added : Bigarreau Napolion, Bigarreau Noir de Guben, Bigarreau 

 Noir de Schmidt, Elton, Monstrueux de Mezel, and for the latest. Emperor Francis, 

 Florence, and Giant de Hedelfinger. It should be noted, in the forcing of cherries 

 in pots (or otherwise), that the trees must not be hard forced. This I have con- 

 clusively proved. Cherries will practically fail if given the same treatment 

 as peaches. There should be as much difference in the temperatures of 

 these fruits as in those of vines and peaches. This means that when the trees 

 are in flower the night temperature of the houses will range from 40 to 45 degs. 

 Fahr. Ventilation should be constant except in the very worst weather. The 

 May Duke cherry in pots is extremely useful, on account of the abundance of 

 pollen the flowers possess ; it is well worth growing for that purpose alone, 

 to enable one to fertilise the flowers of varieties less favoured in this respect. 



Pears. — These do not enter so extensively into the category of pot fruits 

 as any of the preceding. They are, nevertheless, very useful and most orna- 

 mental. Only the best of the dessert sorts should be grown. The earliest 

 varieties are not so desirable as those that will keep well. The following are 

 recommended as being satisfactory in pots : Fondante d'Automme, Beurri Superjin, 

 Triomphe de Fienne, Louise Bonne of Jersey, Thompson s, Glou Morceau, Doyenne du 

 Cornice, Pitmaston Duchess, Durondeau. 



Apples.— As in the case of pears, it is better to grow only the choice 

 varieties, such, for instance, as Ribston Pippin, Cox's Orange Pippin, IVashington, 

 King of Tompkin's County, Mother Apple. The large fruits of Peasgood's Nonesuch, 

 Alexander, and other sorts, look extremely well upon the trees, but for quality 

 are not desirable. 



