194 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
r March 0,18S0. 
or in great bundles, but all the roots should have their broken ends 
cleanly cut off, those much damaged being cut out, and be then 
evenly surrounded with fine moist soil. A liberal covering of strawy 
litter over the roots and a little over the tops as well will tend to 
protect from severe frosts and drying winds. Thus treated the roots 
keep plump and fresh, and if unavoidably kept laid in for several weeks 
the wounds will also be healed somewhat. To leave the trees in the 
bales just as received in a dry shed for several days is a very great mis¬ 
take, as the chances are the greater portion of the roots will become 
most injuriously dry, and a severe check to the trees be the sure con¬ 
sequence. If the bales cannot be unpacked owing to the severity of 
the frosts, then ought they to be placed in a moist shed or cellar where 
no frosts or drying winds reach them, must be unpacked at the first 
favourable opportunity, and if any of the roots are found to be very 
dry immerse them in water for five or six hours.—W. I. 
FREESIAS. 
These bulbous plants have several qualifications befitting them 
for a more prominent and general notice, which may be found in 
their pure colour, delightful scent, ease of culture, and free bloom¬ 
ing properties. It is a matter of surprise that they are not more 
generally grown, especially seeing that scented flowers are so much 
sought after, and those unpossessed of perfume, by many persons, 
lose favour more or less accordingly. That they are easily culti¬ 
vated certainly cannot be disputed, for they require really a shorter 
season of growth than even the Primula or Cineraria ; the generous 
provision commonly accorded either of these plants during the 
actual growing term would command profitable returns for the 
labour expended, and, moreover, their blooming season is a period 
when white flowers are greatly in demand. 
One error in their culture with many growers is in according 
them too much coddling or warm temperatures, causing an undue 
extension of growth, and consequently a weak flower spike. I 
have hitherto made the same mistake, but a vigorous specimen 
presented me by an esteemed friend and good grower has prompted 
a desire to adopt a more rational course in future. Naturally 
so good an example of culture induces anyone interested to 
inquire the course pursued, whereby the same results may be 
achieved, and I was fortunate in having a friend ready at all times 
to give advice, which has always been found reliable to act 
upon. His bulbs are selected in sizes for potting in August, placing 
about six of the largest bulbs in a 5-inch pot; the smaller ones are, 
M’hen necessary to extend the stock, grown more thickly in the 
same or larger sized pots for blooming in subsequent years. The 
soil used for potting is a simple though substantial mixture. Good 
turfy loam dug from a deer park—what an enviable source of 
supply !—forms one-half of the bulk, the remainder being made up 
of leaf mould, pounded charcoal, and sand. The bulbs are covered, 
though not deeply buried in the soil, and firm potting induces a 
sturdy growth. They are at once placed in a cold frame together 
with Lachenalias and Cyclamen, and watered according as the con¬ 
dition of the growth directs. Here they remain as long as the 
state of the weather allows, or rather until frost makes their well¬ 
being uncertain. A shelf in a cool greenhouse is where they pass 
the early months of the winter, from which they are selected in 
small supplies of from one to two dozen, choosing of course those 
most advanced towards blooming, for placing into slightly warmer 
quarters to excite them into earlier bloom. Strong heat is highly 
detrimental to them, and should be strictly avoided, and they need 
at all times a light position for ensuring robustness. As the pots 
become full of roots liquid manure may be given at every alter¬ 
nate watering, which acts favourably in strengthening the flower 
spikes. Individual flowers do not last long in perfection, but 
happily a whole spike is not perfected spontaneously, the decaying 
flowers being followed by fresh expanded ones in quick succession, 
thus forming a long continuance of their desirable fragrance. For 
bouquets, wreaths, sprays, or any kind of decorative purpose they 
constitute a very conspicuous object, and anyone having such to 
cater for would probably find an outlay on Freesias a profitable 
investment. 
Some idea may be formed of their floriferous disposition under 
good and liberal treatment, when it is stated that as many as eighty 
blooms have been counted on six plants grown in a 5-inch pot, and 
although this may not represent the average number they do not 
fall very short of it under the system pursued by the grower pre¬ 
viously referred to. Attention to the plants must not be relaxed 
directly the flowering is over, as in a great measure on this depends 
the issue of ultimate success or the contrary. Continue watering 
them so long as growth is apparent, and when this stage is com¬ 
pleted allow them to dry gradually, and assume their term of 
rest without further interference. They may either be stood on 
shelves in a cool house or in a cool pit after flowering, but wherever 
it may be let them be so placed as to get the full influence of 
sunshine for inducing full maturity, and success must inevitably 
follow.—W. S. 
NOTES ON FRUIT TREES—APPLES. 
Since 1845 (when I was a stripling of ten and began to read sucb 
gardening literature as came within reach) I do not think so much 
has been written on fruit cultivation during the first four decades as 
during the last five years. Now everybody seems to have Apples on 
the brain. In 1848 Dr. Hogg, in the first edition of his “Fruit 
Manual,’’ drew attention to the benefit to be derived by growers of 
fruit from a knowledge and adaptation of the choicer and most use¬ 
ful varieties. Since then other editions have appeared, demonstrating- 
that by a judicious selection as fine, if not finer, fruit could be 
grown in our gardens and orchards as in any part of the world. 
Every requirement—the connoisseur who sought for quality, and 
general consumers who value fruit not so much as a luxury but as 
a necessity of life—are duly catered for, viz., a knowledge of 
the “ characteristics and merits of fruits and fruit trees as they are- 
produced when cultivated among ourselves at home,” is given i» 
the later editions, so that our impotence in preventing a foreigm 
fruit invasion is wholly without excuse. Apathy and indifference 
to the fact that we were importing Apples which might be 
prevented by utilisation of the resources these isles possessed be¬ 
came awakened by the poor returns to the grower of home producob. 
The unattractive sour-looking, crab-like produce of the home 
orchards were driven out of the markets by the cheery, bright, 
clear skins, good using properties, through size or evenness of 
sample of the produce from Nova Scotia. Mayors of towns and 
cities, aided by councillors in public meeting assembled, claimed 
that the soil and climate of the United Kingdom would grow as^ 
fine fruit as that barrelled and exported from America, and all 
needed was to have attention arrested and interest awakened to the 
benefits of fruit culture to lift the farmer and small holder of land 
out of the “ slough of despond ” in which they had been so long- 
floundering. But it was seen by those who had made a life study 
of fruits and fruit culture that nine-tenths of what was uttered at 
meetings or published in the newspapers partook more of the ideas of 
the enthusiast than of the experienced pomologist. Matter so 
lavishly distributed was promptly discounted by tbe “horticul¬ 
tural press.” It was pointed out that though fruit can be grown 
in this country equal to any imported, success only attended in¬ 
telligent culture, and that, though fruit could be grown at a profit, 
there was nothing like the money to be made, even in the most 
favoured circumstances, that enthusiasts imagined. Experts may 
gain experience by speculation without incurring loss, but the 
rank and file will be best served by a safe and common senser 
investment. 
In looking at tbe produce of orchards from a consumer’s point 
of view how many of the varieties grown are comparable to Americau. 
Apples for any characteristic the consumer appreciates ? Large 
handsome fruits, good alike for cooking or dessert ? Having taken 
note of the varieties that nearest approach the standard in those- 
respects, and comparing the fruit with American, I am urged to the 
conclusion that, strong as we undoubtedly are in autumn and early to 
midwinter fruit, we fail lamentably in late winter and spring 
varieties, when the finer and better kept American Apples tell 
so disastrously against British produce. Anyone with a gardens 
can have Apples from September to January inclusive, but it is 
later, from mid-January to May, that large, handsome, well 
kept fruits of table and culinary utility pay best. That we prac¬ 
tically have any at that time comparable to Baldwin, Newtowir 
Pippin, or Northern Spy requires much assurance to affirm. True, 
we have a number of high-coloured and high-flavoured varieties,, 
which, acceptable and appreciated as they may be to cultured taste,, 
have too much skin and core—too much waste in comparison with the. 
flesh to merit acceptance by the general public —the great factor toi 
be reckoned with in the production of Apples for profit. Let us 
now proceed to a diagnosis of 
Varieties Suitable for Table or Cooking. 
Early .—Lady Sudeley ; large, pale yellow, streaked red or 
crimson, handsome. August and September, A comparatively 
new Apple of great excellence, either for small or large culture.. 
Worcester Pearmain ; medium, yellow almost completely covered 
with bright red, less so on the shaded side, handsome, free bearer. 
September and October. Wormsley Pippin ; large, rich golden, or- 
orange on the sun side, clear yellow on other parts, free bearer.. 
September and October. 
Midseason. —Cox’s Pomona ; large and medium, yellow, much 
streaked with bright crimson, beautiful, flesh tender, moderate 
bearer. October and November. Harvey Apple or Dr. Harvey 
large, pale yellow, flesh tender, free bearer. October to December., 
