108 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
November 20. 
A week or two ago we made a few remarks on the man¬ 
ner in which specimens of fruits are sent to us for iden¬ 
tification ; and as it is a matter which is of some im¬ 
portance to us as well as our correspondents, we again 
return to the subject. We have been induced on this 
occasion to make the following observations, from having 
received a box containing fifteen specimens of apples, 
and out of these fifteen we are only able to identify nine 
of them. Now we hope our correspondent will not 
think us particularly dull because we cannot identify 
the whole; for apart from having good specimens of the 
genera] character of the fruit—which in this case we 
have not had—it is to be borne in mind that the fruit, 
! being only a small part of the tree, and that part, too, 
which is most subject to be influenced by soil, exposure, 
and season, we have many other characters to become 
acquainted with before we can decide with confidence. 
The flowers, the leaves, the wood, the habit of the tree, 
and the season of maturity, are all important and neces¬ 
sary to be known; but as we cannot expect to be fur¬ 
nished with all of these, yet if our friends would take 
the trouble to state some particulars in connection with 
the varieties sent, they would greatly facilitate our 
labours, and reap advantage to themselves. 
Of fruits, as of plants, there is what is called geogra¬ 
phical distribution, that is, there are certain varieties 
which are peculiar to certain districts, and which are 
only to be found in particular localities. Fortunately, 
we are intimately acquainted with all the great orchard 
districts of these kingdoms, and know the varieties 
which are cultivated in them. If, therefore, we knew 
whence the varieties came, that would be one step 
towards attaining our object; then, a knowledge of the 
season of maturity, and the uses to which they are ap¬ 
plicable, whether for the dessert or culinary purposes, 
would be desirable; but, above all, let us be furnished 
with well-grown, characteristic specimens. It is impos¬ 
sible to tell what some are which have recently been 
sent us, they were evidently taken from old, exhausted, 
and diseased trees, and were what is popularly termed 
gnarly, being so void of character as to pass just as easy 
for one sort as another. Let the specimens be entire, 
having the stalk and eye perfect; and with attention to 
these remarks our friends will be the gainers. It is our 
wish to state with confidence what the fruit really is, 
and not what it might be, or what it is like; we would 
not have any guess-work in the matter, and we, there¬ 
fore, trust that in future our correspondents will aid us 
in contributing to their gratification and our own satis- 
! faction ; for there is a great deal in this latter object— 
that we may ourselves he satisfied with what we have 
done. ___ R. H. 
Pursuing our observations on the science of plant- 
culture, we next come to the stem and branches. 
Although every member of the vegetable form, from 
the minutest root to the most fragile flower, have their 
I epidermis, cellular integument, bark, woody fibre, and 
medullary matter, yet as these are most apparent in the 
I stem and branches, they can be commented upon most 
readily in this chapter, devoted to the consideration of 
those vegetable members. 
The first of these, the epidermis, is analogous to the 
human cuticle, or scarf skin, being the external envelope 
of the whole surface. It is commonly transparent and 
smooth, sometimes hairy; in other instances.hard and 
rugged, occasionally so abounding with silica or flint, as 
to be employed as a polisher for wood, and even brass. 
In every instance it is a net-work of fibres, the meshes 
of which are filled with a fine membrane. The epi¬ 
dermis appears to be designed as a preservative from 
the injurious effects of the atmosphere, to regulate the 
quantity of gaseous matter and moisture respired, and 
as a shield from the attacks of animals, &c. It is cer¬ 
tainly devoid of sensation. The texture of the mem¬ 
brane between the meshes varies much in different 
species of plants. In very succulent plants, it is so 
contrived, that it readily allows the absorption of 
moisture, but prevents perspiration. Such plants are, 
consequently, well qualified to inhabit hot climates and 
dry soils. Neither is it at all impossible that it possesses 
the quality of allowing the passage of some gases, and 
rejecting others, as the bladder of animals permits 
water to pass through its texture, but is impervious to 
alcohol. In old trees it cracks, and in many cases be¬ 
comes obliterated, the dead layers of bark performing 
its offices. Its growth is slower than that of other 
parts, and its powers of expansion, though great, occa¬ 
sionally cannot equal the rapid enlargement of the 
parts it incloses and defends. This is very frequently 
the case with the stem and branches of the cherry; the 
tree is then said by gardeners to be hide-bound, and is 
remedied by making longitudinal incisions. It is still 
more apparent in the fruit of the cherry and plum, 
when rain falls abundantly during their state of ripe¬ 
ness, their pulp swells so rapidly, that in an hour or two 
the epidermis of every ripe fruit upon a tree will be 
cracked. Gardeners are very prone to scrape with no 
gentle hand the bark of their fruit-trees; whereas every 
care should be taken not to wound its surface unne¬ 
cessarily, and never to reduce its thickness until all 
danger of severe frosts are passed. 
The epidermis regulates the evaporation from a plant, 
and preserves it in some degree from the detrimental 
sudden changes of temperature to which our climate is 
liable. The birch (Betulus alba), has more films of j 
epidermis than any other European tree ; and it ascends 
to greater heights in the Alps, and approaches nearer to 
the frozen zone than other trees of the same climates. 
Immediately below the epidermis occurs the cellular 
integument (otherwise known as the parenchyma and 
pulp). It is a juicy substance; and, being the seat of 
colour, is analogous to the rete mucosum of man, which 
is red in the white, and black in the negro: the mass of 
apples, &c., is composed of it. Leaves are chiefly formed 
of a plate of it, inclosed by epidermis. In herbs, suc¬ 
culent plants, leaves and fruits, if it is destroyed, like ! 
the epidermis of the same, it remains unrestored; but 
in the case of trees and shrubs, it is regenerated after 
each removal. In leaves-it is generally green; in flowers 
