450 



THE PRACTICAL GARDENER. 



the old sorts of apples, comes to this conclii^ioa : "I think," he says, «' that I am 

 justified in the conclusion, that all plants of this species, however propagated from 

 the same stock, partake in some degree of the same life, and will attend the 

 progress of that life in the habits of its youth, its maturity, and its decay ; though 

 they will not be any way affected by any incidental injuries the parent tree may 

 sustain after they are detached from it." Speachly, and latterly Williamson, in 

 Hort. Trans., consider that the deterioration of the apple and pear, as well as other 

 fruits, may be owing to the changes to which the climate of this country is supposed 

 to have been subject; and that the return of genial seasons will restore to us, from 

 old trees, as good fruit as heretofore. Such also is the opinion of the compiler of 

 the Encyclopaedia of Gardening; that intelligent writer considers Knight's doctrine 

 contrary to the general analogy of vegetable life. "It is," he observes, "unques- 

 tionably true, that all varieties have a tendency to degenerate into the primitive 

 character of the species ; but to him it appears equally true, that any variety may 

 be perpetuated, with all its excellences, by proper culture ; and, more especially, 

 varieties of trees. However unsuccessful Knight may have been in continuing the 

 moil, red-streak, and golden pippin, we cannot," he says, "alter our conviction, 

 that, by grafting from these sorts, tliey may be continued such as they are, or were, 

 when the scions were taken from the trees to the end of time. As to plants pro- 

 pagated by extension, partaking, in some degree, of the same period of life as the 

 parent, we cannot," he adds, " admit the idea as at all probable. Vines, olives, 

 poplars, and willows, have been propagated by extension for ages, and are still, as 

 far as can be ascertained, as vigorous as they were in the days of Noah or Pliny." 



DESSERT APPLES. 



1. Pippin, Old Golden. — This is one of the most ancient and best Dritish fruits 

 lit either for dessert, kilchcn, or cider. This useful sort is fast hastening into decay 

 The fruit is small, roundish, of a beautiful golden color, and deserves a wall in 

 most situations. It comes to perfection upon standards in favorable situations 

 The French admit this to be of English origin, and it is almost peculiar to this 

 country. It docs not succeed well upon the continent. It ripens in October, and 

 keeps through the winter. 



2. Pippin, Golden Warwickshire.— See No. 113. 



3. Pippin, Downton.— A seedling, by Knight; originated about 1804. Is a 

 juicy fruit, and resembles the golden pippin; is fit either for dessert or cider; fmit 

 small, round, and yellow ; flesh firm and sweet; lasts from October till March. 



4. Pippin, Elton, or Knight's Golden Pippin. — A seedling, by Knight ; origin- 

 ated about 1S02. Excellent for dessert or cider; tree a great bearer ; fruit middle- 

 sized, round, gold-colored, with spots ; flesh firm and sweet. In use from October 

 till February. 



5. Pippin, Franklin's Golden. — A sub-variety of the golden pippin; procured 

 in 1780. Fruit middle-sized, conical, with gold and dark spots ; keeps from No- 

 vember till March ; flesh firm, and highly aromatic ; middling bearer. 



6. Pippin, Hughes's New Golden. — A French fruit ; procured in 1803. Fruit 

 small, flat, and yellow ; flesh firm and sweet; keeps from October till March. Tree 

 rather delicate. 



7. Pippin, Fall.— Sent to England by Mr. Cobbctt, and described in Coxe'a 

 work on American Fruits, as worthy of general cultivation. 



8. Pippin, Sudlow's Fall.— To distinguish it from the last, it bears the name 

 of its introducer, John Sudlow, Esq., of Thames Ditton. Fruit small, about two 



