82. 
THE FLORIST. 
have kept healthy and productive for years to come. Unlike their 
relations in the north, they were evidently not troubled with sym¬ 
pathetic sensations, and thus escaped the fate of the trees so 
pathetically lamented over by our reviewer. We can point out now, in 
the orchards of this neighbourhood, trees of this variety, perfectly 
healthy, and of large size, obtained from the original tree, as confirmatory 
of the above, if such were necessary. 
Let us next see how young trees appear to withstand this 
degenerating fever, which our reviewer tells us will soon exterminate 
the variety; and here again we appeal to our own orchard, (though 
when time permits, we shall take a much wider district) planted seven 
years since; knowing how well the Ribston Pippin thrives here, you 
may be sure it was not forgotten; and by looking over the trees, we 
found twelve had been planted, two of which were infected with canker* 
in their stems ; the other ten are growing vigorously, quite as strong and 
clean to all appearance as the Bedfordshire Foundling and Blenheim 
Orange, two well-known vigorous kinds. Two years ago they produced 
a moderate crop of very fine fruit, and up to this time give every promise 
that they will make fine trees; certainly there are no indications at 
present that would lead to the conclusion that the kind was wearing 
out, all the evidence being on the other side. In the same orchard are 
six trees of the old Golden Pippin, of which the writer in question 
informs us—we give his own words; “ The fact is undeniable, that the 
Golden Pippin, once planted in orchards in Herefordshire and other 
parts of England has, for the most part, retired to sheltered gardens, 
and to warm aspects on walls. Where it does exist it is a delicate plant, 
and it is far from plentiful.” Now our orchard, so far from being 
sheltered, slopes to the north, has a very poor soil and not over dry 
subsoil, and yet here the Golden Pippin grows as freely as any other 
variety ; much better, in fact, than many new ones. We had occasion to 
move one the other day to fill up a blank; and certainly (as the men 
who lifted it told us) it was growing like a Willow, with a clean glossy 
bark, which always indicates good health; and it would be difficult to 
point out healthier trees in the orchard. We are only relating a solitary 
case as regards this variety, not knowing of any old trees in this 
neighbourhood, where it is but little known ; but we see no reason why 
* Canker in the stems of young Apple trees is frequently met with; and no 
doubt, often originates from the careless way in which the stems are pruned up 
to, form, a standard ; in trimming off the lateral shoots, the operator cuts into the 
quick or alburnum, which causes a slight wound; and in those varieties pre¬ 
disposed to canker, it is sure to follow, and ultimately ruins the tree. Instead 
of cutting the side shoots of trees intended for standards close in at the winter 
pruning, it is better to cut them back to within an eye of the stem ; the shoots 
produced from the eyes left should be stopped back the following Midsummer to 
two or three joints each. Tffese shoots will strengthen and increase the size of 
the stem by increasing the growing action along its surface, and save in many 
instances the use of stakes to keep the stems upright. The second year, these 
spurs should be all or partly removed, cutting them tolerably close to but never 
below the bark of the stem. The teudency to produce wounds and canker would 
thus be avoided, .and stronger stems obtained ia a given time ; but they would 
not look so clean and saleable as the nurserymen gow produce them, and which 
vre fear has led to the practice.. 
