Fruit-groicing in Kent. 
107 
stripped the trees in certain situations of every vestige of blos- 
soms and leaves. The caterpillars invariably follow a long spell 
of cold east wind, appearing first on the trees unsheltered from 
its influence, showing that their juices have been changed by 
it, and rendered grateful to the tastes of the invading hosts. 
Washing the bodies of the trees with quick-limewash in the 
winter is adopted to destroy the eggs that are deposited in the 
summer under the bark, as these eggs contain the destructive 
Larvae or caterpillars. 
Old trees, and young trees on some soils, are overspread with 
varieties of grey lichens, which cover the trunks, the large 
branches, and even the small boughs and twigs. These lichens 
arc epiphytic, deriving their sustenance from the carbonic acid 
and moisture of the air,* and not in any degree from the tree. 
Two specimens of these lichens sent to Mr. Carruthers have been 
identified by him as Ramalina fastigiata and Everniafurfuracea 
respectively. Mr. Carruthers is of opinion that lichenous growth 
is not in any way injurious to the tree, as he believes that it is 
not found upon the younger branches, whose stomata still absorb 
carbonic acid. It may, however, be very frequently found even 
upon the smallest branches and twigs of apple-trees growing on 
the Kentish rag, and must tend to check, if not entirely to cut 
off, the supplies they would otherwise take in from the air. 
Apple-growers believe that it is most injurious, and that a tree 
cannot be perfectly healthy when covered with it. They send 
men to throw up quantities of quick-lime with scoops, like flour- 
scoops, fastened to long poles, into the trees in damp weather. 
This adheres to the lichens, quickly burning them up, and the 
tree is made clear and free. Salt water was recommended to 
check lichenous growth, in a paper read at the Maidstone 
Farmers' Club, as it had been noticed that trees near the sea- 
coast are perfectly free from them.t 
Sorts of Apples. — The chief sorts grown in Kent are, com- 
mencing with dessert apples, the Ribston Pippin — -facile princeps 
among apples — now unfortunately a somewhat shy bearer. The 
King Pippin is much grown in Mid Kent and the Weald ; this 
is a handsome apple when well grown, but it is inclined to be 
specky on the rag-stone, though doing better on the Weald clay. 
Joanettings and Summer Pippins, early apples, are also grown 
and bring good prices. Red Quarrendens, Farleigh Pippins, 
Pearmains, Nonpareils, Golden Knobs, which ordinarily keep 
well until apples come round again, bringing high prices in the 
" Garden," are found in most Kentish plantations and orchards. 
* Carpenter's ' Vegetable Physiology,' section 739. 
t 'A Treatise on Fruit-growing Commercially.' By F. Eobson, Linton Park. 
