66 



GROUP I. — SOUTHERN COUNTIES SUSSEX. 



6. — J. Cheal & Sons, Nurserymen, Crawley. 



Number of Varieties Exhibited ... 55 



Ohservations. — Fruit of fair average merit throughout, clear 

 skinned and well grown. The following, grown on cordons on 

 the Quince, specially noteworthy : Durondeau, Doyenne du 

 Cornice, Doyenne Boussoch, Beurre Superfin, Beurre Kance, 

 Van Mons Leon Leclerc, Grosse Calebasse, Pitmaston Duchess. 



Exhibitors' BeuiarJcs. — Situation, sheltered; aspect, southern. 

 Soil, moderately heavy ; subsoil, clay. All the largest and best 

 fruits sent to the Conference were grown on cordon trees, trained 

 obliquely on wire fences, on the Quince stock. Our soil here is 

 well adapted for the growth of fruit trees. 



We find the majority of Pears do well here on the 

 Quince stock, but some varieties we have to double work. 

 Our method of pruning the coi'dons is very simple. We go 

 over them the first time about the end of June, or beginning 

 of July, according to the season ; then, if the tree has a fair crop 

 of fruit, it enables it to swell and ripen. We find with most sorts 

 the fruit prevents much further wood growth ; but, whatever there 

 is, we go over again about the middle of September and prune 

 back. In dry seasons we give a slight mulching of manure, which 

 is very beneficial to the trees. The pyramid trees we prune in 

 spring, after the frosts are over, taking out all superfluous 

 shoots, to admit as much sun and air as possible. During the 

 summer we only pinch back the strongest shoots. Pears are 

 not largely grown as orchard trees n this district, but those 

 which are, do well. Apples are grown much more extensively 

 in orchards. 



7. — Sidney Ford, Gardener to W. E. Hubbard, Esq., 

 Leonardslee, Horsham. 



Number of Varieties Exhibited 73 



Observations. — Fruit of fair average merit, clear skinned, and 

 well grown, the following being specially noted : Beurre 

 d'Anjou, Marie Louise d'Uccle, General Tottleben, Pitmaston 

 Duchess, Durondeau, Josephine de Malines. 



Exhibitor's Beiimrks, — Situation, sheltered from north-east; 

 aspect, south, 273 feet above sea-level. Soil varies from a sandy 

 loam to stiff clay ; subsoil, consisting of sandy gravel and sand- 



