JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
March 23, 1832.] 
229 
23rd 
Tn 
Royal Society at 4.30 p.M. 
24th 
F 
Quekett Club at 8 P.M. 
25th 
S 
26th 
Sun 
5th SUNDAY IN Lent. 
27 th 
M 
[11 A.M., Promenade Show. 
28th 
TU 
Royal Horticultural Society, Fruit and Floral Committees at 
29th 
W 
Royal Botanic Society’s Spring Show. 
THE APPLE ELECTION. 
HASTEN to thank Mr. Killick for the pains 
he has taken in collecting lists of Apples, and 
further for the remarks he has attached to 
those lists. I venture to think that in five 
years’ time several varieties will change places* 
and can only ac un for some old sorts being 
very high up in th lists because they happen to 
be better known. KeswickCodlin, Hawthornden, 
and Cellini stand respectively fifth, sixth, and seventh ; 
while three Apples far their superiors are below—viz.* 
Stirling Castle, Winter Hawthornden, and Ecklinville&eedling. 
The Duchess of Oldenburgh will, I doubt not, hold a higher 
place, as will Annie Elizabeth, in the estimate of which I fully 
agree with Mr. Killick. 
I find that Lord Suffield does well on a sandy loam, but I 
wish it were more robust. I noticed that one tree situated 
low in the garden, where water after a storm was apt to remain, 
had begun to look feeble. I put a stone drain in 3 feet from 
it, so that in future the ground would not be sodden. This 
tree is now among my best. Canker seems to be inherent 
in some varieties, but intensified by frost and increased by 
damp. Ribston Pippin in the open always cankers, but give 
it a wall—and it deserves one—thus protecting it from frost, 
and I have known it perfectly healthy. Wellington (Durne- 
low’s Seedling) on the same soil is perfection, but I learn that 
if it touches gravel it cankers. I saw it recently in an orchard 
in Somersetshire much cankered. Near it, however, was Tom 
Putt, which keeps as well, is very much like it in appearance 
and size, cooks admirably, but is not quite its equal in flavour. 
This I learnt from testing the two sorts a few years since by 
baking and boiling. Now if I could not grow Wellington 
1 would grow Tom Putt. It does well on a thinner and more 
stony soil, and would succeed probably on gravel. 
Blenheim Pippin does for those who can afford to wait, but not 
for those who want early crops of fruit. Warner’s King seems 
most desirable, particularly for exhibition ; and people who wish 
to win prizes should also grow Emperor Alexander, which in my 
opinion deserved to be higher than No. 18. Cellini cankers hope¬ 
lessly, which I much regret, as it is a noble Apple ; but it will 
vanish from my garden, as Alfriston has already done, for the 
same reason, but I would grow both if they would but thrive. 
Stirling Castle is a gem of the very first water, healthy, beau¬ 
tiful in blossom and fruit from first setting to its appearance 
at table, as its flavour is excellent. Winter Hawthornden 
this over-mild season—over-mild for the fruit-room—has kept 
well with me, and I think very highly of it. Cox’s Pomona 
cankers. Of Ecklinville Seedling I have already spoken. It 
is an admirable Apple and perfectly healthy. Tower of 
Glamis is a favourite with me as a second-rate fruit and 
is very healthy. Loddington as yet I like, but my experi¬ 
ence is not great. Beauty of Kent as a pyramid must go 
because it will not live on the stock I have it. Peasgood’s 
Nonsuch grows well and is healthy, but even last year did not 
produce a single fruit. Golden Noble and Waltham Abbey 
Seedling I am trying, and they seem healthy, but not so Bed¬ 
fordshire Foundling. 
I turn now to the dessert list. Cox’s Orange Pippin is first, 
and in its right place without doubt. But of this list, as of 
the cooking varieties, I am sure in five years several sorts will 
change places. Thus, Golden Winter Pearmain does not, as 
I judge, deserve the third place. Irish Peach is to my mind 
clearly ahead of all other summer eating Apples, just as Cox’s 
Orange Pippin is of winter varieties. Worcester Pearmain I 
should place among the kitchen Apples. 
Gravenstein will in future be higher when more generally 
known, for it is one of the very best Apples—transparent as 
porcelain, its size large, shape good, tree healthy, and flavour 
of fruit first-rate. Nothing but general ignorance of its merits 
would have placed it as low as No. 25 ; Red Astrachan, almost 
worthless save for beauty, being put eleven above it. In 
Summer Golden Pippin I am disappointed, and think the 
estimate of it in the “Fruit Manual” is too high. It may 
surprise many readers to hear that I have this year eaten in 
perfection the Cornish Gilliflower grown in Wiltshire, the tree 
grafted I believe on Hawthornden, and yielding a good crop. 
I believe it to be one of the best and highest flavoured of all 
eating Apples ; size large, colour fine, shape unusual into the 
bargain. But let all growers of it remember it blossoms on 
the tips of its branches ; hence the knife would cut off the 
crop. Early Julien I have not yet tried, but think of planting 
it on Mr. Killick’s recommendation. 
I am obliged to Mr. Gilbert of Burghley for his agreement 
with me on the subject of planting trees ; and when you have 
the pruning knife in hand remember Mr. Wright’s words, and 
do not become a “ mutilator also in planting an orchard 
take what he says as a golden rule—“ Select the varieties 
that succeed in your locality, and plant at least a dozen of 
each.” 
Judging from Mr. Killick’s experience as shown in his 
remarks, I feel pretty sure that what is one man’s experience 
in England, at least in its southern and south-western counties, 
will be another’s. He in Kent has found out just what I have 
done in the neighbourhood of Bath, and with almost every¬ 
thing he says I agree. 
I would now say in conclusion, Let all interested in Apple¬ 
growing not only make a mental note this season, but a pencil 
note as well. We forget, or remember but parts ; but a word 
written, however hurriedly, on the side of a fruit catalogue re¬ 
mains. Said the poet Gray when writing to a friend (Gray apj 
pears to have always carried a note book with him), “ You 
have nothing to do but to transcribe your little books. I make 
notes on the spot, and I conclude that you do not trust to 
memory, which is ten times worse than a lead pencil.” 
Watch with careful eyes ; observe trees at all times ; make 
a note diligently and accurately of anything peculiar or marked 
in growth, bark, habit, flowering, and the fruit on the tree, and 
No. 91.—Vol. IV., Third Series. 
No. 1747 .—Vol. LXVII., Old Series. 
