November l, 1888. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
411 
ing of Gravenstein, Ecklinville, Blenheim Pippin, Mere de Manage, 
Small’s Admirable, Warner’s King (very fine), Golden Noble, Brabant 
Bellefleur, Lord Derby, and Peasgood’s Nonesuch, all large, clean, and 
even in size. Messrs. G. Bunyard & Co. followed closely, Emperor 
Alexander, Lord Suffield, and The Queen being the best dishes included 
in a generally good collection. Mr. C. J. Sclater was third, and three 
other creditable collections were staged. In the open class for twelve 
varieties of desssert Apples Mr.'C. G. Sclater took the lead, having capital 
dishes of King of the Pippins, Blenheim Orange, Worcester Pearmain, 
Braddick’s Nonpareil, Cornish Aromatic, Beauty of Wilts, Autumn 
Pearmain, Bibston Pippin, Gravenstein, Court Pendfi Plat, and Cornish 
Gilliflower. Mr. D. C. Powell had an equally good selection, and was 
only two or three points behind. Among his were pretty dishes of 
Baumann’s Eeinette, Gravenstein, Blenheim Pippin, and Rosemary 
Russet. Mr. Berwick, Sidmouth, was third, and there were three other 
creditable collections shown. There were seven entries in a class for 
twelve varieties confined to private growers. Mr. R. Yeo, gardener to 
R. B. James, Esq,, was first, his best being pretty dishes of Councillor, 
Worcester Pearmain, Ribston Pippin, and Blenheim Pippin, the rest 
being culinary varieties. The second prize was awarded to Mr. J. 
Garland, gardener to Sir T. D. Ackland, Bart., his collection including 
very good dishes of Striped Beefing, Winter Hawthornden, and Emperor 
Alexander. Mr. A. C. Williams, gardener to W. C. Sim, Esq., was a 
good third. For nine culinary varieties Mr. R. Yeo was first; Mr. J. T. 
Baker, gardener to Mrs. Rowe, second ; and Mr. H. Hill third. Mr. 
A. C. Williams staged very good dessert Apples in nine varieties, and 
was first, the second prize going to Mr. H. Hill, and the third to Mr. 
J. Garland. The last named had a remarkably handsome dish of the 
American Mother. With nine mixed varieties Mr. E. Protheroe was first, 
his best being Bramley’s Seedling, Adams’ Pearmain, and Peasgood’s 
Nonesuch. Mr. W. Mortimer, gardener to Col. White Thompson, was a 
good second, and Mr. T. Westlake third. Classes were provided for single 
dishes of Peasgood’s Nonesuch, Alfriston, Blenheim Pippin. DumeloW’s 
Seedling or Wellington, Golden Noble, Mere de Menage, Warner’s 
King, Adams’ Pearmain, Cornish Gilliflower, Cox's Orange Pippin, 
King of the Pippins, Margil, Ribston Pippin, any other culinary, and 
any other dessert varieties, which attracted numerous entries. In these 
Messrs. Bunyard & Son gained three first and six second prizes, Messrs. 
A. Truman, A. C. Williams (who had four first and two second prizes), 
W. Blackmore, B. Brown, S. Hodges, and J. H. Mounsdon, gardener to 
F. Bradshaw, Esq., also being successful. In the class for any other 
dessert variety Messrs. Bunyard & Son won the first prize with a hand¬ 
some dish of Washington, which proved to be very crisp, juicy, and 
sweet. The first prize in a corresponding class for a culinary variety, 
Mr. S. Hodges was first for a fine dish of Loddington. Messrs. Bunyard 
and Son were the only exhibitors of three dessert varieties introduced 
since 1876, these consisting of Wealthy, Okera, and an unnamed variety. 
They were also first for three culinary varieties, these consisting of 
Bismarck, Belle Pouloise, and Royal Jubilee, all of which were of good 
size and attractive in appearance. 
The competition was less keen with Pears generally, but many extra 
fine dishes were staged. Size rather than quality appeared in several 
instances to have most weight with the Judges, and the awards were 
rather severely criticised accordingly. Messrs. G. Bunyard & Son were 
awarded the first prize for a collection of twelve varieties, these con¬ 
sisting of Pitmaston Duchess, Durondeau, Doyenml du Comice, Beurre 
Superfin, Beurrd Hardy, Marechal de Cour, Beurre Ranee, General 
Todleben, Beurre Clairgeau, Catillac, Grosse Callebasse, and Vicar of 
Winkfield, all extra large and even in size. Mr. C. J. Sclater followed, 
his best being Pitmaston Duchess, BeunA Die), Louise Bonne of Jersey, 
and Marie Louise, while the third prize went to Mr. D. C. Powell, who 
had a capital selection, all well-grown dessert varieties, amongst which the 
most noteworthy were Pitmaston Duchess, Glou Morceau, Marie Louise, 
and Beurre Bachelier. The best six dishes were staged by Mr. H. 
Berwick, Sidmouth. . Mr. C. J. Sclater was a good second, and Mr. A. 
Truman third. There were seven entries in the class for three varieties, 
and with these Mr. D. C. Powell was well first, having fine, cleanly 
grown well-ripened fruit of BeunA Superfin, Marie Louise, and Muir 
Fowl’s Egg. Mr. J. Garland was second, and Mr. J. H. Mounsden 
third, the last named experiencing rather hard treatment. Messrs. 
J. Bunyard & Co. were the only exhibitors of three varieties of stewing 
Pears, and were awarded the first prize for five dishes of Beurre 
Clairgeau, Verulam, and General Todleben. Mr. Truman was first and 
Mr. C. D. Powell second for Catillac ; and for any other culinary 
variety Mr. H. Berwick was first, staging a fine highly coloured dish of 
Beurrd Clairgeau. Messrs. Bunyard were first and Mr. D. C. Powell 
second for Beurrfi Diel, both having good fruit. Many extra good 
dishes of Marie Louise were shown, and with these Mr. R. Smith, gar¬ 
dener to Lady Frances Fletcher, was first and Mr. Powell second. 
Doyennd du Comice also appears to be a favourite, and was well 
shown. Mr. A. C. Williams was first and Mr. Kellard, gardener to 
W. J. Battishill, Esq., second. Messrs. Bunyard had the best dish of Jose¬ 
phine de Malines, Mr. J. Garland being a good second. The best dish 
of Louise Bonne of Jersey was staged by Mr. W. Turner, gardener to 
H. W. Sanders, Esq., the second prize going to Messrs. G. Bunyard and 
Son. Mr. J. H. Mounsdon had a first prize for a good dish of Easter 
Beurr<i. Pitmaston Duchess was numerously shown, many of the 
dishes being extra heavy and well ripened. Mr. R. Dark, gardener to 
J. M. Miller, Esq., Barnstaple, was first, and Mr. A. C. Williams second. 
Mr. R. Smith was first for Winter Nelis, and Mr. J. Blackmore, gar¬ 
dener to C. T. D. Ackland, Esq., M.P., second, both having very good 
dishes of this popular variety. The best dish of Beurre Superfin was 
staged by Mr. R. Dark, the second prize going to Mr. D. C, Powell. In 
the class for any other dessert variety Mr. R. Dark was placed first 
for immense fruit of Souvenir du Congres, each of which must have 
been upwards of 1 lb. in weight, and were said to have been grown 
against an open wall. Mr. R. Smith was second with good fruit of 
DoyennA Boussoch. Mr. D. C. Powell was first for Medlars, Messrs. 
Bunyard & Co. for Quinces, and Mr. B. Brown for Tomatoes. 
The non-competitors’ collections were numerous and extensive, and' 
added largely to the success attending the general display. Messrs. R» 
Veitch & Co., Royal Nurseries, Exeter, lent a great number of decorative- 
plants, and arranged much the finest collection of Apples and Pears. 
Of Apples they had about 100 varieties, among these being very good 
dishes of Bismarck, Lane’s Prince Albert, Gravenstein, Blenheim 
Orange, Cellini, Peasgood’s Nonesuch, Sandringham, Lady IIenniker r 
Worcester Pearmain, Ecklinville, Winter Hawthornden, Grand Sultan, 
Tibbett’s Incomparable, Bramley’s Seedling, and Niton House. Of 
Peais there were fifty dishes, the best being Flemish Beauty, Brockworth 
Park, Marie Louise, Beurre Bachelier, Pitmaston Duchess, Glou Monjeau, 
Louise Bonne of jersey, and Doyenne du Comice. Mr. D. C. Powell 
staged a large collection of Apples and Pears, all of which were well 
grown, the selection also being trustworthy. Messrs. Bunyard & Co.,. 
Mr. C. G. Sclater, and Messrs. Lucombe, Pince & Co. also had good 
exhibitions of Apples and Pears. Local fruiterers arranged a remark¬ 
ably fine display of Jersey Pears, these including numerous boxes of 
Glou Moi^eau, Easter BeurrA, Chaumontel, Belle de Jersey, and other 
extra large fruit. It should be added the Exhibition was held in Fore 
Street Market Hall, this being gaily decorated and illuminated for the- 
occasion in a most effective manner by active members of the Com¬ 
mittee. 
HARDY FRUIT GARDEN. 
When to Gather Apples and Pears. —It is unwise to have a 
fixed time for gathering these, as it is possible to leave the fruit of some 
varieties too long on the trees, or what is still more reprehensible, it 
may be gathered before it is fit. W T hen left on the trees till ready t» 
drop off at the least touch, a heavy wind may quickly clear the trees 
and spoil the greater portion of the fruit. Even if it is gathered only 
just in time, it not unfrequently happens that the quality is impaired 
by remaining too long on the trees, and a dry mealy fruit be the result,, 
this being more especially the case with Pears. Should the fruit b& 
gathered when it has to be dragged from the trees, the chances are the- 
greater portion will become shrivelled and tough, losing greatly in 
value accordingly. As yet very few Pears have been gathered by ex¬ 
perienced growers in the southern counties, and still fewer Apples. Nor 
should they be till it is found that the seeds are nearly or quite brown r 
another good test being that of raising the fruit out of its natural 
position. If unfit to gather they will cling to the tree, but if sufficiently 
ripe will part readily. The latter test is to be preferred for choice Pears, 
every fruit of which is of value. Severe frosts will sometimes injure 
the latest fruit, but these are not to be feared during October at any 
rate, those recently experienced, though severe, only serving to hasten 
ripening. . 
Storing Pears. —Such comparatively early varieties as Williams’' 
Bon Chretien, Clapp’s Favourite, Beurre Giffard, and Souvenir du 
Congres, will have been gathered in most warm localities, but in all 
cases are not yet used up. It is a good plan to gather these or any 
variety that keeps badly or which it is desirable to prolong in season as 
much as possible at intervals of about a week, those first picked being- 
forwarded in gentle heat. In all probability a great majority of varieties 
will require this assistance before they will become fit to eat, and in this 
case their season will be prolonged considerably. A portion of the crops 
of Beurre d’Amanlis, Pitmaston Duchess, BeurrA Superfin, Fondante 
d’Automne, Autumn Bergamot, BeurrA Hardy, Louise Bonne of Jersey, 
and Brown BeurrA will in most warm localities have been fit to gather 
early in October, but all of these are much later than usual, and the; 
bulk will not be stored before the end of the month. Very late also are 
Marie Louise, Urbaniste, DoyennA du Comice, DoyennA Boussoch, MarA- 
chal de Cour, Beurre Diel, Gansel’s Bergamot, Beurre Bose, and other 
varieties usually gathered at this date (October 12th), and largely used- 
in October and November, while the later BeurrA Clairgeau, Thompson’s, 
Van Mons LAon Leclerc, Huyshe’s Prince Consort, Huyshe’s Prince of 
Wales, Chaumontel, General Todtleben, and Hacon’s Incomparable still 
cling closely to the trees. All these promise to ripen eventually, but 
such extra late varieties as Glou Morceau, Josephine de Malines, BeurrA 
d’Aremburg, Beurre Bachelier, Winter Nelis, BeurrA Sterckmans, Easter- 
BeurrA, and Nec Plus Meuris are still swelling, and it is doubtful if 
these will ever mature properly. Pears may either be stored in a single 
layer with their stalks uppermost on ordinary fruit-room shelves, or 
they may be carefully packed in drawers, these being left open for a few 
days or till such times as the fruit ceases to evaporate much moisture. 
Everything about them should be clean and sweet, and the fruit ought 
to be protected from currents of cold air and severe frosts when 
necessary. 
