THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, February 9, 1858. 
295 
only one mantaming its true character. Bergamot Fsperen 
usually so excellent, was quite void of flavour ; as were also 
Beurre Sterckmans ; Beurre de Ranee, and Alexandre Bivort. 
Raster Beurre was not so far gone as Mr. Allport’s, and 
rather Letter flavoured, but not so fine. Fortunee was pretty 
good flavoured, but astringent. He also sent two other 
varieties, Beurre Bretonneau, and Leon le Clerc de Laval, 
which sometimes ripen, or partially ripen, very late in the 
season; but which, under ordinary circumstances, may be 
considered stewing Rears. 
Dr. Davies, of Pershore, sent specimens of Ne Plus 
Meuris , which were not so highly flavoured as they ought to 
be ; and another variety erroneously named Althorp Crasanne, 
which had no resemblance to that sort, and was of very inferior 
quality. 
It is a fact worthy of remark, that while all the varieties 
enumerated in the above collections are among the best 
varieties in cultivation, the past season seems to have had an 
influence on them of a most prejudicial kind; for it was re¬ 
marked by all present that they never saw these late varieties 
of Pears exhibited so utterly out of character. The exception 
was 'Knight's Monarch , sent by Mr. Rivers, which was cer¬ 
tainly in most excellent condition, and quite brought out the 
rich qualities of that variety. May we not therefore infer, 
that this variety is one less liable to be affected by extremes 
of seasons, and on that account all the more valuable ? We 
never know it suffer in reputation in whatever soil it was grown, 
whether on the warm sandy loams of Middlesex; the chalks of 
the southern counties ; the cold clays of Cheshire, and York¬ 
shire ; or the bleak exposures of the east coast. If added to 
this, it is equally unaffected by extremes of temperature, as it 
seems to be, we must consider Knight's Monarch the most 
valuable Pear we know. At the Meeting on the 5tli of May, 
1856, we remember it was exhibited by Mr. McEwen, then at 
Arundel Castle, in most excellent condition, possessing even at 
that late period of the season its rich flavour and aroma. 
Dr. Davies, of Pershore, sent an interesting collection of 
Apples grown in that district; among which was a seedling 
from Flander's Pippin , having a near resemblance to its 
parent in form, colour, and quality. One, called Rhode 
Island, quite distinct from Rhode Island Greening, appeared 
to be a very excellent cooking Apple, from the delicacy and 
tenderness of its flesh, and its grateful acid. Its shape and 
colour resembled a large specimen of Norfolk Beefing, having 
the same livid red colour, but not so dark as in that variety. 
Scarlet Russet is of small size, and Pearmain shape, co vered 
with pale brown russet, with a vermilion flame on the side 
next the sun. It is of excellent quality, sugary, and with a 
nice mild Fennel flavour. Comberton Pearmain is a nice- 
looking Pearmain-sliaped Apple; but void of flavour. It 
was in fine sound condition, and appeared as if it w ould keep 
for a considerable time. Burdon’s Reinette v r as found to 
be inferior in quality; but Dr. Davies said they were bad spe¬ 
cimens. We would correct an error Dr. Davies seems to 
labour under in supposing that this is synonymous with Isle 
of Wight Pippin; we feel assured it is not, judging from the 
specimens sent. Queen’s Delight has been before former 
Meetings ; and though the specimens exhibited were said to be 
inferior, they nevertheless showed that this is a variety of 
some excellence as a dessert Apple. Ugly B uck was thought 
to be most appropriately named — scabbed, knobbed, dis¬ 
torted, and discoloured. Its looks' did not favour it; but it 
is, nevertheless, an excellent dessert Apple, and appears to be 
identical with what is called Knobbed Russet, or Old Maid's. 
Sweet-water Russet was of good quality; but not remark¬ 
able for particular excellence—a remark that applies to two 
other varieties, called Goldeinder and White Pearmain. 
The best Apple of the whole collection was that marked No. 1, 
and which was not recognised as a known variety. It was of 
good size, and fine colour; tire flesh firm, crisp, juicy, sweet, 
and remarkably well-flavoured. It is a variety well worthy of 
cultivation, and appears as if it would still keep for a long 
period. Good specimens of the true Lemon Pippin were also 
in the collection. 
Mr. William Smith, of Peter Street, Hereford, sent to 
the Meeting, previous to this, an excellent collection of the 
Apples of the neighbourhood; all of which were correctly 
named, with the exception of Court of Wick, which was called 
Golden Reinette. Among the number were admirable speci¬ 
mens of Golden Pippin, from a very old tree, which Mr. Smith 
stated had, last season, made a strong and vigorous growth. 
Mr. CrANSToun, of Hereford, also sent a very valuable 
collection, and most correctly named; not one instance of 
misnomer being found among them: among these were 
varieties of great merit. 
I. C. Rent, Esq., of Upton-on-Severn, sent a dish of very 
beautiful Golden Harvey Apples, which he distinguished as 
Chacely Harveys. 
Richard Varden, Esq., of Seaford Grange, near Pershore, 
sent good specimens of Martin Nonpareil —a small ovate- 
shaped Apple, with a yellow skin somewhat marked with 
russet; but it is not a variety of very high excellence. 
Rev. G. Jenkins, of Church Hill, near Worcester, sent a 
variety, of respectable merit, called Bagster's Favourite. It 
is of small size, and somewhat oblate shape, with a large open 
eye in a wide, saucer-like basin. The colour is deep orange 
all over, with a darker and reddish orange next the sun; and 
the flesh has a yellow tinge. 
Mr. Ward, of Ileadington Hill, near Oxford, sent speci¬ 
mens of a seedling Apple, raised in that neighbourhood, from 
seed taken from the cider press. Though a good-looking 
Apple, it was not considered to possess any merit beyond 
many others in cultivation. 
Messrs. Youell & Co., of Great Yarmouth, sent six spe¬ 
cimens of a fine-looking seedling, called Webb's Kitchen Russet, 
raised by I. C. Webb, Esq., of that place. In appearance it 
is like the Kentish Codlin, being perpendicular on the sides, 
and equally wide at both ends, with prominent angles on the 
sides. It is of a dark green colour, considerably covered with 
russet, and has all the appearance of being an excellent 
kitchen Apple. With the view of ascertaining its keeping 
qualities, it was ordered to be retained in the Society’s fruit- 
cabinet till a subsequent Meeting. 
From Mr. Thomas Batten, of Pattingliam, near Wolver¬ 
hampton, six specimens of a Seedling Apple were received, 
called Patten's Pippin; but the variety was not recommended 
as possessing any properties to entitle it to rank among de¬ 
sirable Apples. 
From Mr. McFarlane, gardener to C. W. R. Ramsay, 
Esq., Barnton, near Edinburgh, an Apple which was found 
in a hedge in that neighbourhood. It is conical in shape, 
and ribbed at the eye; of a dark green colour, becoming yellow 
as it ripens. The flesh is very hard and firm, with a most 
intolerable acid. 
Mr. Chapman, Market Gardener, of Islewortli, also sent a 
Seedling Apple, the consideration of which w r as ordered to 
stand over till next Meeting. 
Messrs. Joseph May and Co., of Wellington Street, Strand, 
sent a Seedling Apple, named General Havelock, a fine large 
yellow Apple very much resembling the variety known as Lord 
Suffield; but, as no particulars were furnished with regard to 
its origin, the Meeting did not pronounce any opinion upon it. 
The same gentleman sent another Seedling from the French 
Crab, which, in the opinion of the Meeting, was either the 
French Crab itself, or so similar as not to be distinguishable 
from it. A specimen sent under the name of Hutch Mig- 
nonne, was incorrect. 
In the report of last Meeting it was stated, by mistake, that 
the specimens of Stamford ' Pippin w r ere sent by Mr. Laxton, 
of Stamford. We have received a communication from Mr. 
Ingram, of Huntingdon, stating that he has purchased the 
whole stock of that Apple, and that the specimens were sent 
by him. 
The Meetings for the current year were arranged as follows : 
■—March 4th; May 6th; June 24th; July 8th ; July 22nd ; 
August 5th (Annual); August 19th; September 9th, and 
23rd ; October 7th, and 28th ; November 11th ; and December 
16th. _____ 
Australian Gardening. —At the Horticultural Society 
of Victoria’s Show, in October, Mr. Rule exhibited a fine 
Franciscea hydrangiformis, a plant difficult to grow there; 
a Begonia manicata, which excited general attention ; and a 
beautiful Tropceolum tricolorum which, we are informed, is 
a scarce plant in the colony. His Phaius grandijlorus, a 
terrestrial Orchid, was also conspicuous; and among the 
Ferns, the Platycerium grande, which is used as an article of 
food by the natives of Moreton Bay and New Zealand. 
