412 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ November 10, 1E92. 
arrive at the best methods for utilising them. I think it will be 
generally admitted that our shrubberies are too scantily supplied 
with flowering shrubs. If such plants as these were introduced 
more freely, the effect in spring would be charming. For small 
gardens a single bush would be sufficient to make an effect, but 
where long borders of evergreens are planted, a group of at 
least a dozen plants should be introduced. If a little regard is paid 
to the colours, such groups cannot be other than striking during 
the floweiing season. In most places a bed could be planted on 
fhe lawn without deranging the surroundings. I readily admit 
these beds are not very pretty during the winter months, but, at 
any rate, they are as presentable as those containing Ro3es. 1 
have a bed in my mind’s eye at the present time that makes 
quite an exhibition each year. I would also advise planting 
single standards, just as we do Roses or Rhododendrons. I know 
nurseries where large stocks of these are always kept on hand, 
and very beautiful they look in the spring. Soils that will grow 
Rhododendrons successfully will suit A. mollis equally well. The 
soil to be avoided, or rather made good, is a cold heavy clay, 
but such can soon be improved by the means known to every 
reader of the Journal. 
I should like also to draw attention to the Azaleas for the 
greenhouse or conservatory decoration. I am convinced that if 
their merits were more universally known we should meet them 
more often. We do hear of failures in their culture, but it is gene¬ 
rally through some irrational treatment. It is very unwise to force 
fhem hard the first season after they are potted, for the flowers 
invariably fail to develop properly. Why they refuse to start 
can be readily explained. The simple fact that they are not 
established is sufficient to account for any such evils. The first 
a ear I prefer to let them expand in a greenhouse. It is sheer 
waste of time to bundle them together in a cold greenhouse after 
they have finished flowering as we generally do Lilacs, Rhododen¬ 
dron ponticum, and similar things, for they will never succeed 
unless they get proper culture. It is essential that they get a good 
sunny position during the summer to mature the growth properly. 
The flowers are very suitable for decorative purposes where they 
can be cut from the plants and taken to the rooms at once. Owing 
t"> the delicacy of the petals they do not travel very well, the least 
l ruising spoiling their appearance. Named varieties, in colours 
ranging from creamy white to a deep dull red with all the inter¬ 
vening shades, can be purchased. Personally, however, I like 
the seedlings, for they grow more vigorously, and there is really 
very little to choose between them.— Jas. B. Riding. 
DISCUSSION ON APPLES. 
Cellini. 
I send you a sample of the above Apple from a young tree 
planted three years ago on ground that has been reclaimed from 
the sea. The land, which was formerly part of Brading Harbour, 
has been reclaimed about eleven years, but still contains, a large 
percentage of salt and phosphates from the sea. I planted three 
Apple trees as an experiment, and the Cellini being one of my 
favourites, I thought I would try it. Last year it produced about 
two dozen fruits, and this year quite half a bushel, of which the 
enclosed are some of the finest. The colour is extra rich, even for 
this variety, reminding one of the Tasmanian Apples that were 
exhibited at the R.II.S. some few years ago. The tree is now 
about 4 feet high to the bearing wood, and is planted in a light 
sandy soil. This may interest Mr. Brotherston and “E. M.” 
The variety did very well with me on a rather heavy soil at 
Kingston, and it seems to be doing equally as well on light land 
here, only the fruit is so much more highly coloured. I planted 
about fifty others of different varieties last spring, and it will be 
interesting to note how they succeed.—C. Orchard, Bembridge, 
Isle of Wight. 
[The Apples referred to are very fine indeed, and unusually 
rich and bright in colour.] 
Nelson’s Codlin. 
I noticed that mention was made of this variety last week. 
It is one of the best kitchen Apples that obtains little notice. I 
had a tree of it at Bedfont, where on the stiff clay it did wonder¬ 
fully well, but never became a large specimen. It seems adapted 
for small gardens. The branches assume, if allowed to make free 
growth, a somewhat drooping habit. The fruits are of a large, 
clean, conical form, exactly like those of Lord Suffield, and I have 
always held that Nelson’s Codlin must have been one of the parents 
of that fine early variety. It is, however, later, and has firmer 
flesh. The bloom is large, and has deep rich colour. The variety 
will make a handsome lawn t-ee. Nelson’s Codlin belongs to the 
Mank’s Codlin and Old Hawthornden section of trees. Early Julyan 
and Frogmore Prolific also belong to the same class ; indeed, there 
may be a dozen good varieties that can specially be commended for 
their free productiveness, and yet always make moderate short- 
jointed growth.—A. D. 
Cockle’s Pippin. 
Were this introduced now as a new Apple and fruits presented 
for criticism at Christmas, we should unhesitatingly give it a first- 
class certificate. The variety is not a robust grower, but it is a 
free cropper. It is not a showy Apple, as it never puts on colour, 
but its flesh is crisp and it has a delicious flavour, not inaptly 
termed balsamic. I cannot admit that in selecting the best half 
dozen of dessert varieties for keeping, even including Cox’s Orange 
Pippin, Ribston Pippin, Cornish Gilliflower, Pitmaston Golden 
Pippin, and Claygate Pearmain, that we ought to omit Cockle’s 
Pippin. The rage for big and showy Apples is likely to elbow out 
the humbler looking russetty dessert varieties that have the best 
flavour unless their merits are well kept in view.—A. D. 
Duchess of Oldenburg. 
Once more this variety fully maintained its reputation for 
being a consistent and sure bearer. Last year the branches on our 
half-standard were weighted down to the ground with fruit, and 
this season the crop was quite as heavy and the fruit considerably 
larger. Towards the middle of August the fruit began to assume 
a somewhat transparent appearance (it is sometimes erroneously 
termed the Russian Transparent), and if not exactly a good dessert 
Apple, either then or later being somewhat acid, there is no mistake 
about its good cooking qualities. The fruits are large, well-formed, 
greenish yellow on the shaded side, and beautifully striped with 
red where exposed, altogether presenting a decidedly attractive 
appearance. This season Duchess of Oldenburg, in common with 
many varieties, kept badly, all being past their best by the end of 
the first week in September, but in foimer years it has kept good 
till near the end of that month. Our soil is a strong clayey loam, 
and the tree is on the Crab stock. That the merits of this variety 
have been fully appreciated by many maiket growers was very 
evident late last August. Apparently it was the only Apple that 
could be offered for dessert purposes by most of the fruiterers in 
the outlying parts of London, and, in ract, but few other varieties 
were to be seen. Being available for either dessert or culinary 
purposes, and more generally reliable than any member of the 
Codlin family, Duchess of Oldenburg should, and most probably will, 
oust a good many of these.—W. I. 
Lord Suffield. 
In this district one of the best and most prolific Apples is Lord 
Suffield. Although with many varieties the present season is a 
poor one, trees of the above have been loaded with fruit. Last 
year, owing to the late and severe frost at Whitsuntide, the 
blossoms suffered very much, and the result was a failure of the 
crop, but this season they escaped. One tree in an amateur’s 
garden of my acquaintance produced 50 lbs. of fruit, four trees 
giving in bulk 160 lbs. The soil is fairly strong loam, lasting on a 
sandy kind of clayey subsoil, which, being on a hill side in an 
elevated district, is naturally well drained. The trees have not 
been pruned for years, nor yet has any support been given to the 
roots. They have long grown as they liked, and luckily so far an 
equal balance between root and branch has been maintained. The 
appearance, however, of the trees indicates that the roots are 
dtscending into the subsoil, as some of the trees, instead of having 
a spreading habit, are lengthening out in a strong manner upwards, 
producing long-jointed wood. So long as the trees can blossom 
and bear fruit this strong tendency will be sufficiently checked to 
divert the sap into the formation of fruit buds. It is possible, 
however, that the roots will eventually gain too strong a hold for 
the tiees to do this.—E. D. S., Sheffield. 
Waltham Abbey Seedling. 
What is the difference between Waltham Abbey Seedling, so 
highly spoken of by “ A. D.,” and Dr. Harvey, also Wormsley 
Pippin ? The difference, if any, is very slight. It is a splendid 
Apple.—A. B. 
Unctuous Apples. 
Certain Apples, it is well known, are unctuous, and sometimes 
this unctuousness is very pronounced. In my own garden theWelford 
Park Nonesuch is by far the most unctuous of all the Apples grown ; 
but Mr. Charles Ross, the raiser of the Apple, to whom I com¬ 
municated this fact, has informed me that it is not so with him. 
Can any of your readers furnish information on this subject?— 
G. M. S., Tillington. 
