November 1, 1913. 
823 
THE GARDENERS’ MAGAZINE. 
^vitli large even-sized berries that have a 
distinctly hammered appeaiane, are 
quite black, and covered with dense 
bloom. If all these attributes are pre¬ 
sent no one could suggest a more perfect 
specimen of a black grape. 
Muscat of Alexandria is far ahead of all 
other white grapes at that season of the 
/ear. The bunches should be 31b. to 41b. 
ill weight, evenly shouldered, tapering, and 
regularly furnished with large, eveii-^ized 
oval-shaped berries of that rich amber tint 
which is so pleasing in this graj>e. Of 
pineapples no variety equals a regularly 
ripened fruit of Queen in point of quality. 
Smooth Cayenne is larger and more hand¬ 
some. 
Of peaches, Royal George and Bellegarde 
are quite the best, Ixith for appearance and 
high quality, and although Alexandra No¬ 
blesse may possess ciiiticing flavour, it is 
short of the rich colour the two former 
varieties have in combination with their 
own rich flavour. In nectarines. Pineapple 
and Elriige are desirable having a distinct 
tyj^ of flavour, but both are good and 
reliable in growth and bearing qualities. 
Melons are numerous, but in spite of its 
age and the immense number of new intro¬ 
ductions, Hero of Lockinge is still difficult 
to excel in appearance and flavour. Sut¬ 
ton’s A.l, if a scarlet-fleshed variety is 
required, is desirable. No fig can yet equal 
Brown Turkey in point of quality, although 
Negro Largo may l>e larger. In ])lums we 
have abundant choice, but Golden Gage and 
Jefferson are well flavoured. Pears are well 
represented by Doyenne du Comice and 
Louise Bonne de Jersey. Among apples 
no variety is needed but Cox’s Orange Pip¬ 
pin, because no other can equal it in fla¬ 
vour. Varieties like Charles Ross and Gas- 
fcigne’s Scarlet are quite out of the run- 
ning. 
Cherries are best represented by Black 
Circassian (commonly known as Tartarian) 
or Knight’s Eai'ly Black. Of apricots, 
Moorpark still leads the way. Straw- 
lorries in August are not easy of produc¬ 
tion, but Waterloo is the most reliable 
for that period. 
For exhibition in Septemlier some slight 
alteration wdll be required in some few 
varieties. In Black grapes, Madresfield 
Court or Muscat Hamburgh should be sub_ 
stitutcxl. as it is not an easy matter to 
preserve the colour of Black Hamburgh i.n 
September ; and, besides, these are at their 
oest flavour in September. Of all grapes 
perhaps Muscat Hamburgh is the more 
rlifficult to grow in a general way. The 
oimches do not come so shapely, nor do 
'^rries “set” so freely, but of all 
igh-flavoured grapes this is undoubtedly 
tile best. 
Vmlette Hative and Stirling Castle 
P^ches should be grown to take the place 
Royal George and Bellegarde, as these 
^annot al^vays be had in Septeml>er. Pit- 
aston Orange nectarine may pei'haps take 
^ place of Pineapple for September use, 
shrivell^^* fresh longer without the skin 
P^^s ^larguerite Marillat will take 
fnr lionise Bonne de Jersey, hut 
V^y^tine du Cornice there is no sulx 
apples Cox’s Orange Pippin 
rpo . first place, and no other is 
1piu\* X ■ ^^^"^ri’s Late Prolific is an excel, 
.diniu 1 1 ^^rawberry, and for September use 
takp encouraged. The latter should 
tbpcx. place of apricots, and, failing 
siil>c+-x'^x^V^^"^^’ttiting raspberries must be 
Hai‘1 these latter Alexandra and 
are fine varieties, and so is 
Mot^u • Abundance. Among cherries 
Use ^ ^ finite the best for extreme late 
E. Molyxeux. 
^^anmore Park. 
S 
PROMOTING THE FERTILITY 
OF FRUIT TREES. 
Ill the general routine of a garden the 
periodical root pruning of fruit trees is an 
important item, esimcially where satisfac¬ 
tory crops of fruit liave to Ije maintainiHl 
from trees that have their branches 
doing this the balance lietween the root 
and branch is uj)si*t. 
The rosuTt of this condition of thing.s is 
invariably strong, succulent, unfruitful 
w(kk1, provide<l the s<»il in which the trees 
are growing is at all fertile. Another cause 
of this succulent growth is annual digging 
of the ground ocvupicHl by the rcwits of the 
PE.VR SOUVENIR DU CONGRES. 
An excellent autumn dessert pear o-f much value for orchard house culture. 
shortened. Experience teaches me that it 
is better to copy and help Nature than to 
create distortions, but this is not alw'ays 
possible when dealing with fruit trees on 
walls espaliers, or those grown as pyra¬ 
mids'and bushes by the sides of walks. 
In their case it is necessary to use the 
knife to keep them within bounds, and in 
trees, the fibrous, mineral-absorliing, 
fruit-producing roots being thereby de¬ 
stroyed, thus forcing the tree to seek 
its sustenance from a less favourable 
stratum. These conditions, too, no doubt, 
tend to foster canker in the stems and 
branches, for when the soft, badly-ripened 
wood experiences a severe winter the tissues 
