i >l 2() HORTICULTURAL TOUR. 



The Gravcnstein is a large fruit, of a yellow hue, with 

 some markings of red. The pulp is not very tender, 

 but abounds with juice of a rich flavour. If gathered 

 shortly before being fully ripe, it keeps plump throughout 

 the winter ; and, we are told, it is frequently dried and 

 stored in the manner of the Foppen-pear, mentioned at 

 p. 191. We recollect that the gravcnstein was strongly 

 recommended to the attention of the Horticultural Society 

 by a distinguished cultivator, Mr John Booth of Flotbeck 

 Nurseries, near Hamburgh, when that gentleman was re- 

 siding at Edinburgh some years ago. The tree, when 011 

 a free stock, is said to grow to a large size, and to bear 

 abundantly *. 



The Borsdorfer originated in Saxony, and has for many 

 years been accounted one of the best in that country. 

 There are two varieties. The Common or Autumn Bors- 

 dorfer, when ripe, is of a yellowish colour, with a little red 

 on one side ; the flavour pleasant, and the juice plentiful 

 and sweet ; of a middling size, seldom exceeding that of 

 the Balgone Pippin. The other variety is called the Red 

 or Winter Borsdorfer ; it is red on one side, and dotted 

 with red on the other ; the pulp white, but reddish at the 



• Trees of this excellent variety of apple have since been imported from 

 Hamburgh by Duncan Cowan, Esq. a zealous amateur horticulturist, who 

 at present occupies the ancient garden at Edinburgh which belonged to the 

 Regent Murray in the middle of the 16th century, and which is still the 

 property of the Noble Family of Moray. This garden contains some pear- 

 trees of venerable age, particularly Longuevilles, Achans, and Jargonelles, 

 (not our modern jargonelle, but the pear which has long been known in 

 Franr;e under that name). Here may likewise be seen a magnificent weep- 

 ing-thorn tree of great age ; and the remains of elm-bowers, which have 

 doubtless in their time sheltered the fair Queen of Scots, but the interwoven 

 bought of which now appear in the shape of fantastically bent trunks, with 

 '•• scarce a leaf distinguishing the year." 



