500 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ December 8, 1892. 
some dark crimson spots in the dorsal sepal. The petals are of a 
dark bronzy shade, the lip being olive green. A specimen was 
exhibited at the meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society on 
November 1st, when an award of merit was accorded for it. 
DISCUSSION ON APPLES. 
Waltham Abbey Seedling. 
As I have not grown Dr. Harvey Apple, and have rarely met 
with it, I am unable to say in reply to “ A. B.” how far it may or 
may not be identical with Waltham Abbey Seedling. Those who 
have both can easily state their opinion. I note that Mr. Bunyard 
in his Apple list refers to Dr. Harvey as resembling Waltham 
Abbey Seedling, but he does not say that it is identical. On the 
other hand it is very suggestive that he does not include the latter 
in the list some three years old I have here. True, the variety 
under whatever name known is a splendid Apple, but its chief 
demerit in the eyes of the trade is that it is not new. I could not 
but remark that at the Royal Aquarium last week Waltham Abbey 
Seedling was especially fine in both the first and second prize 
collections of kitchen Apples. For general usefulness it is worth 
a score of such kinds as Peasgood’s Nonesuch, Emperor Alexander 
and other showy but very soft-fleshed sorts. 
Northern Spy. 
Mr. Bunyard said of this variety, “Of no value in thi s 
-country.” That is about the estimate of most who have tried to 
grow it ; yet at the Aquarium Mr. Turton of Maiden Erleigh had 
a beautiful dish of it in his first prize collection of dessert varieties. 
It would be interesting to learn how he obtained it in such fine 
condition. I think it came from an ordinary bush tree on the 
Paradise stock, but am not certain. It was an undoubted 
novelty. 
Unctuous Apples. 
Will “ G. M. S.” kindly explain what he means by this term as 
applied to Apples ? To my mind it is a horrid expression, and as 
fitting as would be sanctimonious. My dictionary tells me that 
“ unctuous ” signifies “ fat, oily, greasy ; ” and although most 
Apples become after keeping somewhat sticky on the surface, yet 
under no circumstances can I admit that the term unctuous is 
applicable. Why, if we are to admit that Apples are fat or greasy 
we may in time be able to convert them into butter or margarine. 
I do not mind being told that some Apples are glutinous, that we 
all understand ; but the term unctuous seems to savour so much of 
hypocrisy.—A. D. 
Blenheim Orange. 
Some notes about Apples planted by our grandfathers and the 
crops they bear, might be of interest to your readers. The extra¬ 
ordinary crop of 54 bushels were gathered from an old tree of the 
above at Borde Hill, Sussex, this autumn. The tree, which is 
practically unpruned, is in excellent health. It is 35 feet high, 
branches extend 40 feet in diameter, and the stem measures 6 feet 
10 inches in circumference 2 feet from the ground. Owing to its 
size a photograph of it was not very successful. A better one was 
got of a smaller one of the same sort from which about 30 bushels 
were gathered, but I am afraid not good enough for an engraving. 
—R. I. 
Names of Apples. 
I had the pleasure of inspecting some good samples of Apples 
the other day, which were the produce of trees planted ten or a 
dozen years ago. About these, the point I desire to note, is that 
scarcely any of the varieties were correctly named. If this were a 
singular case it would not be of much importance ; but it is the 
third instance I have had brought to my notice. In one case every 
tree was cleared out for the new comers, and a curious mixture they 
were. How disappointing it must be for any who select kinds 
from among these to find when fruit is borne that have been 
supplied with something different from what they wanted.—B. 
Apple Hollandbury. 
Some of the most attractive dishes of Apples I have seen shown 
this autumn were of this variety. The fruit were large, very clear 
in the skin, of a rich yellow on the shaded side, and a bright scarlet 
where more exposed. They were grown in the Avon valley, 
between Bradford and Bath, the soil being of brashy character. 
With me on clay the trees thrive admirably, but never bear heavy 
crops. What fruits are produced usually colour well, while the 
quality, when cooked, is excellent. In Essex I remember taking 
note of a number of trees bearing good crops in most favourable 
seasons, and the attractive appearance of the fruit added consider¬ 
ably to its market value. Both growers for market and exhibitors 
ought, therefore, to give Hollandbury a good trial, and in all pro¬ 
bability will not be disappointed with it. The season extends from 
November till March.—I. 
The Hereford Show. 
One is glad to read of the Hereford Fruit Show once more, 
if only to set the “ Herefordshire Incumbent ” once again to work 
with his pen. How well I remember two shows held under the 
auspices of the Woolhope Club before the lamented death of Dr. 
Bull. At one of them I exhibited Apples for the first time, and 
actually was awarded two prizes. 
A Plethora of Varieties. 
Now I read that at the Show on November 23rd Mr. John 
Watkins of Withington, who always runs Messrs. Bunyard so 
closely at the Aquarium, exhibited no less than 270 plates of 
Apples. Dees this mean 270 distinct varieties ? If so, even 
assuming that cider fruit was included, is it a healthy sign, if the 
cultivation of the Apple is to be made a national industry, to find 
so many varieties offered to the public ? I am well aware that 
nurserymen propagate varieties against their better judgment, but 
so long as their customers demand particular sorts so long, say 
they, must the demand be supplied. How many varieties are 
grown in America? Not 270 by any means ! The trade in 
Apples imported from America and Canada is enormous, but mostly 
Newtown Pippins and Baldwins, surely. Doubtless I shall get into 
hot water for what I am about to state as my own private opinion, 
and this is, that if all the nurserymen would combine, a real trades’ 
union, and issue a catalogue comprising but six dozen varieties— 
say, four dozen kitchen and two dozen table, the cultivation of the 
Apple as a profitable industry would be considerably promoted. 
Naturally the list would vary somewhat in the different divisions 
of the country. 
Inferior Apples. 
I am glad to find that the Editor of the Journal of Horticulture 
refuses to name Apples of inferior merit. It takes a long time to 
kill prejudice. There are hundreds of Apple growers all over 
England who have never been to a fruit show, and who conse¬ 
quently have never seen any fruit other than the sorts their great¬ 
grandfathers propagated. Here, in North Suffolk, the culinary 
Apple is Dr. Harvey ; you meet with it in every orchard and 
garden. It is an excellent Apple, but it only lasts till January. 
I cannot persuade the growers for market to believe that there can 
be anything to beat Dr. Harvey. “ He suits this district, and this 
district suits he, Sir ; and the crop seldom fails.” Another reason 
for this conservatism I can better understand—viz., that the shop¬ 
keepers are shy at purchasing an Apple they do not know. It is 
only those of us (interested in the subject) who have lived in 
different parts of England that know of the thousands of worthless 
nameless Apples that are grown—taking up the same room, equally 
exhausting the soil as good varieties, and not only failing to make 
remunerative prices, but which are not even good enough for 
decent cider. 
The Fruiterers’ Company. 
I really think that if the Fruiterers’ Company would send 
round the country a van fitted with trays carrying good samples of 
our best Apples, and accompanying this van an expert to lecture 
and give practical advice—visiting on market days the chief centres 
of agriculture—more practical good would come of such a course of 
action than the praiseworthy efforts exercised at the last Lord 
Mayor’s Show. 
Selection of Apples. 
Before putting down my pen I will give a short list of 
Apples which we really cannot do without. 
Culinary. —Duchess of Oldenburg, Keswick Codlin, Manks 
Codlin, Ecklinville Seedling, Cellini, Cox’s Pomona, Golden Noble, 
Dr. Harvey, Lord Suffield, Grenadier, New Hawthornden, Pease- 
good’s Nonesuch, Gloria Mundi, Small’s Admirable, The Queen, 
Beauty of Hants or Blenheim Orange (one of these!, Bismarck, 
Lady Henniker, Lane’s Prince Albert, Warner’s King, Annie 
Elizabeth, Northern Greening, Bramley’s Seedling, Wellington, 
and Dutch Mignonne. 
Dessert. —Irish Peach, Devonshire Quarrenden, Kerry Pippin, 
Lady Sudeley, Margil or Ribston (one of these), Cox’s Orange 
Pippin, American Mother, Worcester Pearmain, King of the Pippins, 
Cockle Pippin, Wyken Pippin, Reinette du Canada, Hubbard’s 
Pearmain, Scarlet Nonpareil, Braddick’s Nonpareil, Sturmer 
Pippin, Court Pendfi Plat, and Duke of Devonshire. 
I have purposely not mentioned some of the newer kinds, which 
are strongly recommended, e.g., King of Tomkins’ County, the 
Sandringham, Okera, Gascoyne’s Scarlet, &c. Moreover, when 
making my list I have not been forgetful of the merits of Mr. 
Gladstone, Gravenstein, Melon, Stirling Castle, Frogmore Prolific, 
