REPORT OF THE APPLE AND PEAR CONFERENCE. 



23 



as yet I have not known Improved Northern Greening long 

 enough to warrant my giving it a character. Stone's is, in my 

 opinion, a very reliable apple, and very valuable. I have known 

 it fetch 6s. to 8s. a bushel. 



FKUIT CULTURE FOR PROFIT IN THE OPEN AIR IN 

 ENGLAND. 



By Mr. William Paul, F.L.S., F.R.H.S., Waltham Cross. 



I think I may safely assume that a much larger quantity of 

 English fruit would meet with a ready sale if put before the public 

 in a tempting state. I think I may also assume that there are 

 thousands of acres of land in Great Britain at present, bringing 

 little or no profit to owners or occupiers, which, if planted with 

 fruit trees, mighj, be made to return a good profit to both. Not 

 that I think large fortunes are to be made by the venture, but 

 a fair remuneration for the outlay of capital and the application 

 of industry and skill. 



To give these opinions a practical application, I propose to 

 say a few words on the subject under the following heads : — 



1. Climate. 3. Holdings. 



2. Soils. 4. Sorts. 



1. Climate. — A mild, equable climate, free from sudden 

 changes of temperature, and storms of wind or rain, should be 

 preferred. I do not believe in planting apples, pears, cherries, 

 and plums in the bottom of valleys. This is often done on 

 account of the quality of the soil. But it is of little benefit 

 to the grower to realise a good growth and abundant flowering 

 if his crop is destroyed in the flowering state by the spring frosts. 

 During the last few years there has been a wonderful show of blos- 

 som on the fruit trees in the Valley of the Lea, but little fruit 

 has followed owing to the destruction of the embryo by the 

 severity of the spring frosts in this low situation. This is the 

 one point in climate that would seem to render it unsuitable for 

 culture for profit, as it can be but partially amended by shelter 

 or any other means. 



It seems to me that many important points desirable to secure 

 success, which are well known to those who are thoroughly 

 versed in these matters, have not yet taken hold of the general 

 mind, and they cannot be too often repeated till they do this. 

 Only a few years ago I was surprised to meet with an orchard 

 newly planted in the bottom of a moist valley, the climate of 

 which in spring was trying in the extreme for early buds and 

 blossoms. The sorts, too, were indifferently chosen. Neverthe- 



