SUBURBAN FRUIT-GROWING. 
841 
that an exceptionally good set of Apples followed. The question 
of shelter is therefore a very important one, and there is nothing 
so injurious to fruit blossom as frost accompanied by a dry, 
cutting wind. In all the gardens that I have visited, the Pears, 
where there are any, are all on the sheltered side of the tree, away 
from the north-east wind ; and whether the wood he well 
ripened or not the question of good crop or bad depends, in my 
opinion, mainly upon the condition of the weather when the 
trees are in bloom. 
An error prevails that the R.H.S. has increased the evil of 
too many varieties of Apples and Pears by granting certificates 
to a great many new sorts. This is not the case. The Society 
rarely grants a certificate for a new Apple or Pear, and then only 
when the variety is a real acquisition. In fact the R.H.S. is the 
only body that has done anything to remedy the evil of too many 
sorts. The Apple Congress held at Chiswick in 1883 under the 
auspices of the R.H.S. was the first considerable attempt made 
to deal with the evil. All the known and unknown varieties of 
the Apple that could be brought together were there, and an 
immense number were marked as third-rate or worthless. Many 
varieties so called were proved to be the same Apples under 
different names. Some had as many as thirteen or fourteen. 
Much of the evil has arisen in the cider districts, where many 
trees raised from pips have been allowed to stand without being 
grafted, as their fruit could be used for cider-making, and having 
received a local name they have got included in the list of Apples. 
It must not be forgotten, however, that many of our best Apples 
were chance seedlings obtained in this way. 
In the matter of fruit the taste of the public has changed very 
much. Formerly a small crisp Apple, suitable for dessert, such 
as the Golden Pippin, the Nonpareils, Golden Knob, &c., was in 
favour. High colour was thought to indicate inferior quality, 
and it is only of late years that highly coloured Apples have 
come into favour. It was thought that British Apples were 
inferior in colour to American varieties, but a glance at the fruit 
exhibited to-day will convince every one that our Apples are mot 
deficient in this respect. The populations of the large cities and 
towns have greater purchasing power than was formerly the 
case, and fresh fruit is largely consumed as an article of diet by 
the masses instead of being considered a luxury. 
