1118 



Fruit Growing in Northern Counties. 



[Mar., 



Varieties. — There have been few varieties of apple, pear or 

 plum introduced in recent years which have been accepted com- 

 mercially and extensively planted by growers. This is no doubt 

 largely due to the fact that there has hitherto been no means of 

 testing the commercial merits of new introductions, but steps 

 are being taken to remedy this by an endeavour to establish a 

 national testing station where not one tree but a considerable 

 Dumber will be grown under commercial conditions in the open. 

 In the Morpeth and Hexham areas there is urgent need for a 

 commercial experimental plot where varieties of small fruit and 

 apples can be tested and brought, to the knowledge of local 

 growers. 



At present it is difficult as well as risky to suggest new varie- 

 ties to growers, but the following should be tried in the north : 

 Apples: — James Grieve (dessert), Boseberry (dessert), Cutler 

 Grieve (dessert); Plum: — Purple Pershore; Pear: — Confer- 

 ence; and Damson: — Aylesbury Prune. 



Few of the modern varieties of raspberry, black currant or 

 gooseberry are grown, and the probable reason is the fact that 

 growers are afraid to plant without having seen them tested 

 under local clima-tic conditions. In the case of gooseberries no 

 district can excel the Wansbeck Valley for quantity and 

 quality. The variety Leveller should be introduced, and 

 it would in all probability furnish a high-class dessert fruit which 

 could be tastefully packed and graded and sold in the popular 

 coast towns in the height of the holiday season on the lines 

 adopted by the Sussex growers in the south coast towns. 



Mr. Anderson, the Horticultural Instructor for Cumberland 

 and Westmorland, has found, mainly from plots laid down by the 

 writer over 20 years ago. that the following varieties of apples 

 can be safely planted : Lane's Prince Albert, Bramley's Seed- 

 ling, Royal Jubilee, Queen, Scotch Bridget, Schoolmaster, 

 Bismarck, Barnack Beauty, and Lord Derby. 



The finer quality dessert apples are uncertain in the open, and 

 Cox's Orange Pippin should not be planted north of the latitude 

 of York. 



A large local culinary apple known as Pioyal George is to be 

 found in almost every farm orchard in Cumberland, and is 

 certainlv worthy of further consideration on demonstration plots 

 where it might be improved by working on approved types of 

 paradise stock. 



In Northumberland. Mr. Mayhew from similar plots has found 

 that apples can be successfully grown even at 1.000 ft. above sea 



