HARDY FRUITS IN YORKSHIRE. 



589 



the more sheltered parts, on towards Whitby, many Apples were at one 

 time crown for the Whitby market, but the orchards are fast disappearing, 

 and those trees which remain are mostly in a neglected condition, and 

 very few young ones are planted. From the Tees on towards Richmond, 

 round Bedale and Northallerton, there is a great diversity of soils, being 

 composed of alternate beds of heavy and light loams, and gravel of vary- 

 in? depths. Here and there on the better class of soils quantities of fruit, 

 especially Apples, Plums, Gooseberries, and Strawberries, are produced. 

 Near Richmond Strawberries are largely grown by cottagers in allotments 

 ranging from two acres downwards, a ready sale being found for them at 

 Bishop's Auckland, Darlington, Barnard Castle, and Richmond. On the 

 limestone soils, towards the hills by Richmond, some large Walnut-trees 

 often crop heavily. In a garden at Middleton Tyas, near Richmond, a 

 curious feature is particularly noticeable. Some of the Apple-trees and 

 Raspberry canes annually produce leaves of a bright golden colour, while 

 those of others are green. Copper is found in the district, sometimes traces 

 of it occur close to the surface of the ground, and it has been suggested 

 that this is possibly the cause. Some good standard Cherries and 

 quantities of Plums are noted near Bedale. In the Thirsk district the 

 soil is more clayey, forming cool strong lands, which, when well drained, 

 are especially suitable for Apple culture. Thirsk is one of the most im- 

 portant wholesale fruit markets of the north, and much fruit is brought 

 into it from the surrounding districts. Westward and beyond Ripon the 

 soil becomes thinner, with alternate beds of sand, clay, and gravel. Taking 

 a course from Thirsk eastward and south of the Hambleton hills, through 

 a broad stretch of country by Coxwold, Gilling, and Helmsley, there is a 

 great difference in the character of the soil, much of which is suitable 

 for fruit culture, and many Apples, Pears, Plums, and Gooseberries are 

 grown for the Thirsk market. The orchard Pear-trees in these parts are 

 quite a feature ; one which was measured, and that not the largest, being 

 forty- six feet high, and large in proportion ; there are many of these 

 which generally produce heavy crops of fruit. In some portions of the 

 Yale of Pickering the soil is very rich. This large valley, which is scooped 

 out of the Kimmeridge clay, varies much in the character of its surface 

 soils at different portions of the Yale. A great thickness of glacial beds 

 and alluvium covers its eastern portion. Towards the west the Kimmeridge 

 clay crops out in places through the alluvium, and forms, when not 

 covered with gravel, a heavy clay soil. At the foot of the hills beds of 

 rich sandy loam are found, especially adapted to the culture of Pears and 

 Plums. On the southern side of the Vale alternate beds of sand, clay, 

 and rich loams, with quantities of calcareous grit, are found. There are 

 many rather populous parishes in and about this Yale, where, on the better 

 classes of soils, much hardy fruit is grown. From Pickering eastward, for 

 several miles along the Forge Yalley line, many Apples, Plums, Rasp- 

 berries, and Strawberries are sent into the Scarborough market. Over 

 the eastern half of the East Riding very little good hardy fruit is grown, 

 except in private places. It is worth notice, particularly on the calcareous 

 soils, where they are then upon the chalk, what an influence this soil has 

 upon the stock upon which Apples are grafted. My attention has been 

 drawn to the fact that, while large Apple-trees are often seen fruiting 



