166 
Nov. loth, 1884. 
■will be no further difficulty in ascertaining the correct 
name of any Apple. True, the subject has to be 
studied, as we would the Natural system of Botany, or 
any other science. But this seems so exceedingly 
simple—at least, it is placed so clearly and simply 
before us, that it would seem impossible to get astray 
or to misunderstand the author’s meaning. Diagrams 
there are, illustrative of all the varying forms they 
may assume, forming in all 192 groups or classes, 
with many minor divisions. 
So much for this admirable theory. It is almost a 
pity,to have to confess that it “won’t wash,” at 
least we have not been able to apply it, nay more, we 
have never met with anyone who could, and this not 
for the want of trial. The difficulty, the weakness 
of the system seems to be in the very fineness of 
the distinctions drawn. 
The author himself is not by any means sure of his 
ground. For instance, the very varieties given, as 
examples in one class, examples put forward as proofs 
of the practicability of the system, appear as examples 
in other classes. The author himself should at least 
be able to classify his own examples. But what have 
we ? The Gravenstein, we note, fits into five classes, 
thus:— 
Class 53. Stamens, marginal; tube, funnel-shaped ; 
cells, obovate-abaxile ; calyx, divergent. 
Class 133. Stamens, basal; tube, conical; cells, 
round-abaxile ; calyx, divergent. 
Class 189. Stamens, basal; tube, funnel-shaped; 
cells, elliptical-abaxile ; calyx, divergent. 
Class 157. Stamens, basal; tube, conical; cells, 
elliptical-abaxile; calyx, divergent. 
Class 165. Stamens, basal; tube, funnel-shaped; 
cells, round-abaxile; calyx, divergent. 
Our own examination of the Gravenstein, resulted 
in placing it in still another class. 
It will thus be noted that the stamens which 
constitute the three primary divisions of this classifi- 
tion, are found in this one variety of Apple to be of two 
characters “marginal” and “basal,” and the tube, 
which is of two forms only, is given as both “ funnel- 
shaped ” and “ conical;” the cells “ obovate,” “ ellip¬ 
tical,” and “ round,” whilst the calyx alone is the only 
fixed character, always “ divergent.” The Gravenstein, 
therefore, we submit, has defied the Doctor’s powers 
of classification, and there are many more of similar 
cases. The Early Julien we find in six classes, 
Bibston Pippin in four, Hereford Pearmain in four, 
Mere de Menage in three, &c. This is elasticity of 
classification with a vengeance. Howweaskis it possible 
for any one to determine or trace out the names of 
any fruit by a system which cannot itself be fixed 
even in its primary principles ? 
To those of the old school who remember the 
great services rendered to pomology by the late 
Robert Thompson, it seems almost unkind to carp 
away at the few mistakes he committed, whilst 
otherwise ignoring his existence. How differently it 
fares with “ my friend Mr. Harrison Weir, the artist,” 
who leads the author astray, nevertheless, with St. 
Albans Pippin Apple. There is just a shade too much 
of this “I scratch you, you seratchme,” For example, 
what claim to recognition has “Penlee” Pippin got 
excepting that it serves to immortalize “ my friend 
the Hon. and Rev. J. Townsend Boscawen, of 
Lamorran, in Cornwall, who obtained it from Mr. 
Tyerman, of Penlee.” Per contra, we have School¬ 
master Apple certificated by R. H. S., and introduced 
by Mr. Laxton, of Bedford, which is noticed, but Mr. 
Laxton receives no credit, and again Warner’s Seed¬ 
ling, certificated by R. H. S., and raised by Mr. R. 
Warner, is altogether omitted. 
In the matter of Pears and Peaches we are prepared 
to give bumping measures of credit to the discrimina¬ 
tory powers of that accomplished man and author of 
some charming works, Mr. R. D. Blackmore, of 
Teddington, but we cannot help thinking that it is 
much overdone. The author seems to rely fully more 
on Mr. Blackmore’s opinion than on his own. In so 
doing he is no doubt right, but where it comes in 
contact with the worthy Doctor’s it reads somewhat 
absurd. The continued repetition of “ Mr. R. D. 
Blackmore says it is worthless at Teddington;” 
“ Mr. R. D. Blackmore finds it useless at Tedding¬ 
ton;” “Mr. R. D. Blackmore says, It is a wretch;” 
and, “ At Teddington Mr. Blackmore says it is poor 
and small,” becomes exceedingly monotonous. We 
fancy a shorter way of paying compliments might 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
have been devised, and this might have tended to 
reduce the size of this too bulky volume. 
The selected Lists of Fruits are of little or no value, 
because of their want of selection, so to speak. 
Fancy a list of the best dessert and kitchen Apples 
numbering no less than 252 ! We welcome the “ Fruit 
Manual” however, with all its faults, and they are but 
few, as by far the best and most valuable descriptive 
list of fruits in existence, and a most valuable aid to 
the science of pomology. 
_ __T,_r ^>- _T-- - 
FRUIT CULTURE IN THE SOUTH. 
It has often been a matter of great surprise to me 
that the cultivation of hardy fruits, on a large scale, 
has not been more generally attempted hi the more 
favoured southern counties, aye, and the midland 
counties too, for that matter, where without doubt the 
advantages of climate and situation are as great as 
can be found in any of the well-known fruit-growing 
districts ; though perhaps the soil may not be quite 
so suitable as it is in some of the most fruitful 
districts of Kent and Surrey. Much of the land, 
however, under fruit cultivation there, is certainly a 
long way from that which is considered the best for 
the purpose. To bear out this statement I could point 
to some of the most productive plantations in Kent, 
which have been planted within my own memory on 
land of poor quality, which had been under wheat 
cultivation for many years, but had never given 
satisfactory results. 
Another point that has convinced me of the 
practicability of growing certain kinds of fruits 
equally well in other counties, is, that I have never 
yet been into a garden where good crops of Goose¬ 
berries, Currants, Raspberries, and Strawberries could 
not be grown with as much certainty as they can in 
Kent, if they receive the necessary attention. I will 
not go so far as to say that Apples, Pears, and Plums 
can be grown equally well anywhere, the peculiarities 
of different soils having a great influence on them, 
but I feel sure that if more attention were given to 
selecting the most suitable soil and situation for each, 
instead of planting indiscriminately, we should soon 
have healthy fruitful plantations springing up in 
various parts. 
The aspect that is generally considered the most 
suitable for fruit cultivation is one that is sheltered on 
the north and north-east sides, with an undulating 
surface sloping gradually to the south or south-west. 
And when such a site can be obtained, with a well 
drained, moderately rich soil, it should always be 
taken advantage of. On the other hand there is an 
abundance of evidence to prove that many kinds of 
fruits will thrive equally well under far different 
conditions. I have in my mind’s eye at present one 
of the most fertile valleys in Kent, with large tracts 
of country sloping gradually from north to south, 
down to the edge of the Medway that runs between 
them, and on both these aspects fruit-trees of all 
kinds are cultivated with great success. Tet the soil 
in which they are growing is, in many places, quite 
different from that which is generally thought 
necessary. In some places may be found the rather 
strong adhesive loam, which is so much sought after, 
while in other parts of the same plantation the soil is 
of a very stony nature, the subsoil throughout being 
of Kentish Ragstone, which makes a very effectual 
drainage, and which I feel sure has much to do with 
the health and fruitfulness of the trees. 
One point that the Kentish fruit-growers are very 
particular about, is to have the ground thoroughly 
trenched before planting, for they are well aware how 
much it affects the health of the trees in after years, 
they are also no believers in the starving system, but 
work in large quantities of manure as the trenching 
goes on, taking care to keep it away from the roots of 
the trees at planting time. Inlmaking a plantation 
of large extent on a situation similar to the one 
described as the most desirable, I would plant the 
Apples on the higher ground, because they bloom 
much later in the season, and are therefore less liable 
to be injured by spring frosts than Plums and Pears, 
which should be planted in the most sheltered parts of 
the valley. Another reason for doing so is that the 
soil is generally heavier in the lower positions and 
Apples will thrive much better on the lighter soil 
than either Plums or Pears. 
In conclusion let me state that-as what I have written 
may be open to criticism, I have simply recorded my 
own impiressions, which are the result of experience 
gained and observations made in one of the most 
noted districts of the fruit-growing county of Kent.— 
H. Dunlcin, The Gardens, Longford Castle, Salisbury. 
- C —‘ - 
HOME MANURES FOR THE 
GARDEN. 
[Continued from p. 149.) 
Lime : its Application and Effects. —Lime is 
one of the most widely diffused substances in nature, 
existing in chalk, in all kinds of marl, marble, 
limestone, and organic remains. The bones of most 
animals are composed to a very great extent of 
phosphate of lime. "While in the shells of beetles, 
crabs, snails, lobsters, oysters, &e., carbonate of lime 
is the prevalent compound. 
Lime also forms a considerable proportion of the 
whole weight of the ashes when plants are burnt. 
According to Professor Johnson the quantity of pure 
lime contained in the crops produced upon one acre 
during a four-course farm rotation, amounts on an 
average to 242 lbs., which is equal to about 430 lbs. 
of carbonate of lime in a state of marl, shell-sand, or 
limestone. We need not be surprised, therefore, to 
find that lime supplies a kind of inorganic food which 
is absolutely necessary to the full growth and develop¬ 
ment of all trees, shrubs, and plants. And unless 
lime in some form exists in the soil plants will not 
flourish. Seeds sown in “ lime-free ” soil will 
germinate, and continue to thrive so long as the 
stored-up food contained in the seed itself lasts, but 
as soon as that fails, the plants of whatever descrip¬ 
tion will invariably sicken and die. 
The majority of fertile soils, ‘ however, generally 
contain lime in sufficient abundance for the require¬ 
ments of most of our garden-crops, and if manuring 
is performed regularly and properly, there can still 
less be a want of a direct application of lime to the 
garden, since the “home manures” mentioned in our 
previous articles, alone convey into the soil more lime 
than is removed from it even in very abundant crops. 
Yet, notwithstanding this fact, lime in certain cases 
may advantageously be applied as an aid to the 
decomposition both of mineral and vegetable sub¬ 
stances already existing in the soil, but in a dormant 
condition. Lime imparts to the soil the power of 
changing the nitrogen contained in decaying vegetables 
and animal matters into nitrates, known as the most 
powerful of all fertilizing agents. Lime is not a 
substitute or means of replacing nitrogenous 
manures, like dung, or decaying organic matters, which 
is fit for the immediate use and nourishment of 
plants, but can only play the part of a complementary 
or invigorating addition to those manures. 
When lime is mixed with the soil it acts in a 
decomposing and dissolving manner upon roots, 
leaves, straw, and other parts of vegetable refuse, and 
also upon the organic constituents of the soil which 
are already partially converted into humus matter. 
It hastens the decomposition of those substances 
which are often very slow and disinclined to fermenta¬ 
tion, especially in heavy, stiff soils not freely 
admitting atmospheric air, to a greater degree of 
activity—that is, to a more rapid conversion of those 
inert materials into soluble nitrogenous food which 
can then be readily absorbed by the roots of the 
growing plants, as the most important of all their 
diet. 
We see, therefore, that lime does not work with its 
own material, except in very minute quantities, but 
at the expense of other matters—namely, at that of 
the soil itself, or of its imported fertility—while the 
direct manures act with their own power in supplying 
to the soil such ingredients as it may be deficient in. 
From this cause it is self-evident that the latter must 
enrich the soil to which it is applied, while lime 
renders it poorer. 
“ Much lime and no manure 
Make both garden and gardener poor.” 
Pliny attests the use of slacked lime by the early 
Roman cultivators as a dressing for the soil in which 
fruit-trees were grown ; and that caustic lime has the 
power of killing worms and slugs. ■ 
In the finely-divided state of quicklime or slaoked 
