FRUIT IN MONMOUTHSHIRE AND SOUTH WALES. 
273 
strong westerly gales, which in certain seasons of the year are very 
prevalent. 
Some people will probably ask, Is it possible to grow Apples under 
such conditions ? My answer is that frequently very heavy crops are grown, 
equal in quality and size to any that I have seen in other parts of Great 
Britain. One of the varieties that are grown in quantity in most of the 
orchards in the district between Newport and Chepstow is ' King of the 
Pippins,' or what is known locally as ' Shropshire Pippin.' 
It is well known from history that some 2,000 years ago the Romans 
occupied this part of the country, one of their chief fortified cities being 
Caerwent, situated on the main road from Newport to Chepstow, and 
about twelve miles from the former town. Now within the walls of this 
small but ancient city there are about 15 acres of orchard out of a total 
of 45 acres, or one-third of the whole city. The trees are perfectly healthy 
and although many of them are of great age they are still regularly 
bearing heavy crops of fruit ; the reason given for this by the present 
tenant was that they were feeding upon the bones of the Eomans. And 
in one sense this is certainly true. For in many places amongst the 
fruit trees are to be seen the ruins of the houses in which the Romans 
lived. Extensive excavations have lately been made within a few yards 
of the orchards, and almost beneath the shadow of the trees the founda- 
tions of two large Roman villas have been unearthed. Much of the fruit 
is used for making cider, but a large quantity is sent to the local markets, 
the better varieties including 'Coxes,' 'Blenheims,' 'Kings,' and 'Ribstons.' 
About two miles from Caerwent we come to Portskewett, near to w^hich 
is another ancient encampment, and here again is a very old orchard, 
about 9 acres in extent, which is partly enclosed by a high wall. Many 
of the trees are very large, and, when 1 saw them, were almost breaking 
down with their heavy crop of well-coloured fruit. The soil here is good, 
although not of great depth, the limestone in some places projecting 
above the surface. Near by is to be seen one of the relics of the olden 
times — a pair of stocks in perfect condition standing on the roadside close 
to the entrance to the parish church. 
Leaving Portskewett we come to Caldicot, and here I found a good 
illustration of what can be done by honest industry. Some few years ago, 
the fruit gardens were in a very rough condition, and the present owner 
who had never had any special training for fruit-growing, purchased a 
quantity of Apple, Pear, and Plum trees, which were planted at sufficient 
distances apart to allow the ground between to be filled w^ith " small 
fruits " ; and in addition a plot has been set apart for growing Tomatos 
in the open air, and last season the results were so satisfactory that he 
intends to extend his fruit gardens. 
On several occasions I have visited what is known as the Penhow and 
Llandevaud districts. In the latter place large quantities of • Shropshire 
Prune ' Damsons are grown, chiefly in the hedges and on waste pieces of 
land, and heavy crops of fruit are produced, w^hich is a source of consider- 
able profit to the cottagers and others. The soil here is shallow, but the 
trees root down into the crevices of the limestone, which in some places 
projects above the surface of the ground. No attempt is made to pro- 
pagate by budding, &c.,but the trees are all raised from suckers. On the 
