January 22, 1887. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
325 
EPACRIS ONOSMiEFLORA 
FLORE-PLENO. 
That the two varieties of the above—E. o. alba anil 
E. o. nivalis—will become popular there can be no 
doubt ; and it will be only a question of time in which 
to obtain stock before every collection in the country 
will have a few good plants of each variety to decorate 
the greenhouses during the winter months. Their 
free-flowering qualities will be a good recommendation 
in their favour ; and their chaste and novel appearance,, 
with their fine spikes of double white and blush-white 
flowers, will always cause them to be attractive. 
These varieties of Epacris are, like most other new 
plants that are sent out, apt to be condemned before they 
have had time in which to prove their good qualities. 
This should not be done before a fair trial has been 
given ; and this means time in which to allow the plant 
to develope itself. This is the case with the double 
Epacris ; and now they have begun to show the public 
that they are likely to supersede many of the single 
Varieties, they will, ere long, be sought after by all 
gardeners interested in the cultivation of good plants. 
The treatment they require as to growth is the same as 
that given to the single varieties (see p. 180), with the 
exception that they will not require so much cutting 
back after flowering. Stake out and allow the plants 
to form good bushes. 
Mv experience with these two varieties has been a 
very agreeable surprise. I must admit that I was 
rather disposed to think the illustrations overdone ; but 
I find they have been in no way misrepresented. We 
have in flower now a good plant of each with fourteen 
and sixteen shoots respectively, averaging from 9 ins. 
to 27 ins. in length, all carrying flowers, the longer 
shoots having fully 12 ins. of blooms from the apex 
down the stem. The flowers are beautifully arranged 
on the stem, each one being embedded in the axil of a 
leaf, with the point projecting beyond the flower, which 
gives the whole a very pretty appearance. Certainly 
these two varieties must become general favourites ; and 
we would advise those who want a really good thing, by 
all means to have one of them.—IE. G. [By the 
courtesy of Mr. Bull, who introduced the plant, we 
give an illustration of E. o. flore-pleno nivalis.—E d.] 
-- 
THE SPINDLE TREE 
(Euoeymus EUROI’.EUs). 
This is a very desirable woodland shrub, whether 
looked at from the point of culture, or as an ornamental 
subject. During the present winter, now our woods 
are unusually dull and unattractive, the Euonymus 
helps to fill up the blank caused by the want of Holly 
and other berries, the bright pink seed capsules being 
produced in unusual abundance. A few plants placed 
here and there, either along the outskirts of the wood 
or contiguous to drives and paths, never fail to attract 
attention ; but particularly so when laden with their 
attractive berries during the early months of the year, 
and when the plants are all but destitute of foliage. It 
is readily enough raised from seed or by layers ; but the 
latter method need not be resorted to unless, indeed, 
for extending the plant for underwood, as the seeds 
germinate freely, and soon produce stout stocky plants, 
if only a moderate amount of attention be bestowed on 
their cultivation. In the woods here I believe the 
Euonymus to be truly indigenous, for it occurs at high 
elevations, and where far removed from houses or 
cultivated grounds. — A.D. Webster , Llandegai, Bangor. 
-- 
LATE-KEEPING APPLES.—I. 
From the infinite and almost endless variety of Apples 
now in cultivation, it is a matter of no little importance 
to be able to make a selection that will be serviceable 
for any given purpose. The results of the National 
Apple Congress has done much to clear up the difficulty, 
and the cultivator would profit by consulting the pages 
of British Apples. The superiority of home-grown as 
compared with American Apples, will always tell in 
their favour, and the advantages gained by a proper 
selection of varieties, so as to prolong the season of the 
most serviceable and popular national fruit, are of 
leading consideration, and might be turned to capital 
account at the hands of every cultivator in well-managed 
establishments. The season is now well advanced, and 
hitherto has been very unfavourable for the keeping of 
fruit, but we have been able to make a selection of 
good late-keeping sorts at the Koyal Horticultural 
Society’s Gardens at Chiswick, by the courtesy of 
Mr. Barron, the superintendent. 
Many of the most useful Apples meriting cultivation 
for some particular purpose, are old well-established 
sorts, and it is remarkable how few, comparatively, of 
the recently raised seedlings are able to displace the old 
ones or surpass them in general excellence, either by 
their distinctness or some other quality, such as flavour, 
size, productiveness, or long-keeping properties. It is 
true that great numbers of the old kinds have been 
discarded, but reference to those mentioned below will 
show a considerable excess of old acquaintances over 
the new. This is no argument, however, that the 
Apple is incapable of further improvement, for we have 
much to learn yet witli regard to the constitution and 
productiveness of varieties in different soils. 
Dessert Apples. 
The Ribston Pippin is an excellent well-flavoured 
Apple, of medium size, firm and yellow flesh, considered 
as mid-season, but still in good sound condition ; it is 
suitable for cultivation in various parts of the country, 
but prefers a good rich loam or clayey soil to that of a 
gravelly nature. In northern counties the flavour is 
brisk and all that is desirable, but the fruit never 
seems to acquire the reddish tint on the exposed side 
which it does in more southern latitudes. Gascoigne’s 
Seedling is a medium-sized, handsome pale yellow 
Apple, flushed with red, and although a mid-season 
kind is still good. A late-keeping Ajiple of large 
size, firm, acid and of first-class quality is Hanwell 
Souring ; it may be used either for dessert or culinary 
purposes. The Red Winter Eeinette of Baumann is a 
good keeping variety, with smooth pale red skin, 
yellow top and deep eye. Golden Eeinette keeps well, 
and varies from pale green to greenish orange flushed 
with red, of medium or small size, according to soil and 
situation, but of first-rate quality. For late-keeping, 
Rosemary Russet will also hold its own, and is usually 
reckoned mid-season ; it is conical in outline and 
greenish at present on the lower half, but russet 
upwards, with a firm, acid flesh of first-rate quality. 
For those who desire a large, handsome, good-keeping 
Apple, Blue Pearmain offers great attractions ; it may 
be reckoned among the newer kinds, and is of a fine 
dark purple, suffused at least in the early part of the 
season with bluish bloom, but is only of second-rate 
quality. Though less imposing in appearance than the 
last, Rhode Island Greening is a serviceable late- 
keeping Apple of first-rate quality, and may be used 
for dessert or culinary purposes ; its unassuming green 
colour and medium size make little show on the table, 
but its good qualities more than redeem its character. 
Save’s Prolific is a small yellow round variety that 
fruits abundantly and keeps well ; this is quite dis- 
