September 10, 1885. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
225 
treated as species, with full synonymy, in Desdglise’s catalogue of the 
Roses of Europe and Asia. One series of forms has erect subporsistent 
sepals, and another leaves slightly glandular beneath. 
53. B. alba, L.—Garden origin, perhaps a hybrid between canina and 
gallica. 
54. B. rubrifolia. Vill.—Europe. 
55. B. moniana , Chaix (Reynieri, Hall, fil.).—Central Europe. 
56. B. indica, L. (chinensis, Jacq.).—Native country not clearly known. 
fragrans, Red. (odoratissima, Sweet). 
semperflorens, Curt, (diversifolia, Vent: bengalensis, Pers.) 
longifolia, Willd. ’ 1 
caryophyllea, Red. 
minima, Curt. (Lawrenceana, Sweet), 
anemoniflora, Hort. 
B. Noisetteani, Sevinge, and B. Ternauxiana, Ser., are supposed to be 
hybrids between indica and moschata; B. borbonica, Red, between indica 
and gallica; R. reclinata, Red. (Boursault Rose), between indica and alpina ; 
B. ruga, Lindl., between indica and fragrans, and arvensis; and B. 
Fortuneana, Lemaire, Jard. Fleur., t. 361, is doubtless also a hybrid, of 
which indica is one of the parents. 
Group X. RuBiaiNosiE. 
57. B. rubiginosa, L. (Eglanteria, Miller; suaveolens, Pursh.).—Europe. 
58. B. micrantha, Smith.—Europe. 
59. B. sepium, Thuill.—Europe. Numerous varieties. 
agrestis, Savi. 
inodora, Fries (Klukii, Besser). 
60. R.ferox, M. B.—North Asia. 
61. B. glutinosa, S. and S. (pulverulenta, M. B.).—Orient. 
62. B. lutea, Miller (Eglanteria, L.).—Orient. 
punicea, Miller. 
J. G. Baker, Ktw Herbarium, —( Gardeners' Chronicle.') 
A CHESHIRE FRUIT FARM. 
“ Farrall’s fruits always have command of the market.” This was 
the popular expression at the market town where “Farmer Farrall ” 
offered his produce. His Currants were plump and clean, the Black ones 
like Grapes, the Red ones like strings of coral, and the White ones trans¬ 
parent like big heads of amber. The Raspberries reminded one of 
taimble stands of purple velvet, so rich and luscious were the fruits, with 
such a delicate coating of blooin. Then the Strawberries. They were 
just perfection. Remarkable for size, colour, and flavour, it seemed impos¬ 
sible that anything could be better. Daintily packed in clean chip-wood 
quart punnets, arranged in large wooden trays, with all the freshness of 
the summer morning upon them, uncrushed and unbroken, one could 
not help but stay to admire, though a lingering look at such wares proved 
often a dangerous look, as it almost invariably ended in an investment. 
From the fruits themselves it is but a short step to fruit-growing, and 
enjoying a conversation with the “ Farmer,” we soon found we were talk¬ 
ing to a thoroughly practical fruit-grower, who knew well what to do, when 
to do it, and how. 
Availing myself of a spare evening, I paid a visit to the fruit farm 
from which such grand and encouraging results are obtained. Now, 
Cheshire has never had the reputation of being a very first-rate fruit 
county. The cheese tub rather than the orchard has been identified with 
tue industry of Cheshire. As for Apples, well, there were plenty of 
Keswicks and other kinds “ good for dumplings,” but the orchard was 
allowed to grow its own fruit in its own way without care or cultivation, 
the dairymaid cook picking up the fruits from the ground as the wind 
scattered them to put them in their thick covering of flour and fat, and 
then the plethoric pudding was plunged into the boiler to await the re¬ 
turn of men and lads with the keen appetite which one can find in the 
fields ; and with the excellent sauce of hunger and health the smoking 
pile gradually became smaller and smaller until the iron spoon stood on 
the dish the only thing uneaten. Under conditions such as these, believe 
me, the palate need not be tickled with fine flavours. Quantity is the 
first factor, quality is a secondary consideration. Hence the typical 
Cheshire Apple was a “ gradely dumpling soart,” but was not such as 
would commend itself to the pomologist or the fastidious connoisseur. 
Rears, too, in the older orchards wer,e nothing much to boast of, grown 
“nV.i 011 old 1 , worn ' out trees > mainly “ Catherines ” (Cattens as we 
called them in those days) with here and there a tall pyramidal “ Brad- 
ford of more recent introduction, or perhaps a tree here and there of 
) jreea ,ael, Swan’s Egg, or Hessle where some attention was given 
to the cultivation of more kinds than were ordinarily found in the 
rarmer s garden. Of Plums we had either Winesours or Jacobs, and 
this was the Cheshire orchard. A Nut bush or two, a Cherry tree, and a 
Brandy Apple ” (a very shocking name locally bestowed upon the Red 
Guarrenden, presumably on account of its vinous flavour) might be found 
tn some of the larger gardens, but these were not essentials. 
I he county, however, appears to have moved with the times, and the 
improvement is manifested in the marketing of fruits of better quality 
and in the increased demand for young fruit trees of the better kinds. In 
Apples Lord Suffield is taking the place of the old Keswick Codlin, and 
Blenheim Pippin, Dumelow’s Seedling and fruits of this class are planted 
I j „ lst m Pears Louise Bonne of Jersey, Williams’ Bon CbrctieD, 
and the BeunAs are finding their way to the front. But this is getting 
away from the subject. I have been led to make digression simply 
10 show that we have found that fruit can be grown in the county despite 
the prophesy mgs to the contrary ; and though we cannot boast the climate 
ot Rent or the shelter of the valley of the Midlands, we are able to grow 
^ t'r 5 f n< ^ Pippins when we set our minds upon it. 
I find the fruit farm now under consideration cinsists of about thirteen 
acres, the greater part of which has only been planted some few years, so 
that it is gradually improving, but its present possibilities are of the most 
satisfactory character. There are, I should say, four acres of Strawberries, 
and one may study the fruit to perfection, for there is plenty of variety. 
Here is Sir Joseph Paxton, always a market favourite. It is shapely, 
solid, and well flavoured, and if gathered in dry weather it may safely be 
allowed to stand a couple of days, not only without fear of injury, but 
with a chance of its improving in quality. In another “ break ” is For¬ 
man’s Excelsior, perhaps the best fruit in the garden. It is not a very 
heavy cropper, but is pretty well flavoured and in every way commend¬ 
able. President, Sir Harry, Amy Robsart, Oxonian, Keens’ Seedling all 
have their quarters and their points of excellence, aud beside these we 
find a quarter devoted to the cultivation of some American varieties, but 
the flavour is not quite equal to English kinds. We must not omit re¬ 
ference to a large bed of Moffat’s Duke of Edinburgh, perhaps the best 
late dessert Strawberry in the garden. It certainly looks beautiful, and 
with true ducal grandeur H.R.H. here sets off the Strawberry leaves to 
advantage. 
The Raspberries were a wonderful show, and there must have been 
tons of Gooseberries of all kinds running up between the rows. Currants 
in clusters, and Apples, Plums, and Pears everywhere. The Victoria 
Plum trees are so heavily laden with fruit that the boughs are broken. 
Of Denbigh Seedling there is an excellent crop, while some young pyra¬ 
mids of the Pershore Plum are making good promise. I can scarcely 
convey a proper idea of the crops borne by the Plums. Many of the trees 
have to be supported, and the drosping boughs are hidden by the clusters 
which crowd them. 
The Apples are wonderfully fine. Many of the trees are quite young, 
and most of them have carried such a weight of fruit that they have had 
to be thinned to prevent dissaster. The Worcester Pearmain gives its 
warmth of rosy colour in the lines, whilst Ecklinville, Mhre de Menage, 
Maltster, and other popular varieties hold important places in the collection. 
There are more Pears than I could venture to calculate. In the old 
orchard long lines of Hessles and some of the older dessert varieties are pro¬ 
minent heavily laden. In the new garden Louise Bonne of Jersey, Jargo¬ 
nelle, Beurrd Diel, Beurr6 d’Amanlis, and several trees of Fertility show¬ 
ing sufficient title to their name. Pears are grown here to perfection. 
Rightly gathered and carefully stored they are not surpassed for either size 
or quality by any I have seen from any English county. As a proof of 
their excellence I may mention that last year for the crop of Beurre 
d’Amanlis from this garden, 3d. per lb. wholesale was realised. 
There is much more to see and say, for every department is thoroughly 
represented, but time flies, and there are limits to editorial patience. But 
one word about the house. Here there are facilities for storing and pack¬ 
ing, and this is an essential feature which must not be overlooked. The 
absolute cleanliness of all arrangements connected with the packing gives 
a finishing grace which cannot be despised, however well the fruit may be 
grown. The farm I have described is situated in the Wirral division of 
tho county, within reach of good market towns, and is upon the cold clay 
of the district, is not sheltered in any way, but is open to the sweeping 
winds from the coast, and yet the experience of every year adds its un- 
mistakeable weight of practical testimony to the fact that fruit of best 
quality, and in great quantity, can be successfully grown, and that just 
now no industry is more productive than a well manage! fruit farm. It 
would be out of place here probably to give further details of the daily 
round of duty, but as I walked through the fields in the cool of the even¬ 
ing to catch the train at the nearest station, I thought there could be no 
more healthy or desirable occupation than that of dressing and keeping 
a garden, and I found that I had learned why Farrall’a fruits have com¬ 
mand of the market.— John Edmunds. 
CRYSTAL PALACE FRUIT SHOW. 
September 4th and 5th. 
The annual Exhibition of fruits at the great and popular Sydenham 
Palace is always looked forward to by horticulturists as one of the leading 
events of the year, and the majority of the leading gardeners of the southern 
counties endeavour to obtain a place in the list of prizewinners. This season 
the credit and fame of the Show was most satisfactorily maintained, for it 
was generally pronounced to be one of the best “ all-round shows” held for 
some years. There were necessarily some exhibits of greatly inferior merit, 
but the most striking feature was the general evenness of quality of the pro¬ 
duce staged, which rendered the competition in all the chief classes very 
close. This is exactly what should be expected at such an important lead¬ 
ing exhibition, and there is no doubt that the liberality of the Company in 
offering substantial prizes has contributed in a very large degree to the 
success which has attended their efforts to obtain a thoroughly representa¬ 
tive fruit show. Much praise is also due to the Superintendent, Mr.W. G. 
Head, for the careful and methodical manner in which all the arrangements 
were conducted, for the judicious management of the innumerable details 
connected with an exhibition of this character is essential to insure satis¬ 
factory results. 
Two long tables were devoted to the fruit in competition, the central 
lines between the collections being occupied with Palms, Ferns, and other 
plants that served to break the uniformity which would have otherwise 
prevailed. A fringe of baize or similar material along the edges of the 
tables would have been advantageous, as it would have concealed the boxes, 
baskets, and packages used by the exhibitors, and which were rather too 
noticeable. As regards the exhibits, there was a good proportion of the 
different kinds, but Grapes were especially well shown, and some magnifi¬ 
cently finished examples of black Grapes were entered, Muscat of Alexandria 
being also admirably shown, particularly by Mr. Lowry, who deservedly 
gained the premier prize in a large class with that variety. Some good 
general collections of fruit were staged, and Peaches, Nectarines Plums 
