October  17,  1895, 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
377 
profitable  fruit  growing  ”  creates  a  “demand”  for  trees,  then  surely 
Messrs,  Rivers  are  in  a  position  to  provide  the  “  supply.”  After  a  long 
tramp  round  on  a  broiling  day,  such  as  we  rarely  get  at  the  end  of 
September,  our  expression  was,  “  Why.  you  have  trees  enough  to  stock 
a  nation  I  ”  and  really  it  seemed  so.  We  ventured  an  interrogative  as 
to  the  number  under  cultivation,  but  the  question,  as  might  have  been 
expected,  was  too  difficult.  A  thousand  trees  seems  a  large  number,  but 
tens  of  thousands  would  be  nothing  like  the  total.  The  first  portion  to 
claim  our  attention  was  an  area  of  about  60  acres,  all  fresh  land,  as 
Mr.  Rivers*  method  is  to  plant  young  trees  on  new  ground.  The  aspect 
leaves  nothing  to  be  desired,  sloping  gently  towards  the  south-west,  and 
the  soil  is  of  a  rich  moderately  strong  loam,  Not  a  yard  seemed  to  be 
wasted — trees  everywhere,  of  all  sorts  and  sizes,  as  bewildering  in  variety 
as  they  were  large  in  quantity.  Apples,  Pears,  Plums,  Peaches,  Nec¬ 
tarines,  and  many  others  in  all  stages  and  shapes,  each  occupying  its 
own  quarter,  and  in  every  instance  displaying  that  healthy  short-jointed 
growth  which  fruit  growers  love  to  see. 
To  endeavour  to  enumerate  the  varieties  would  be  a  task  too  great. 
Let  it  suffice  to  say  that  none  of  any  recognised  value  is  omitted. 
Many  of  the  larger  Apples  were  bearing  fruit,  others  had  been  gathered, 
and  thousands  planted  between  have  not  yet  arrived  at  a  bearing 
condition.  Small  trained  trees  of  Peaches  and  Nectarines  were  in  them¬ 
selves  a  feature,  many  of  which  will  shortly  be  removed  for  the  fulfil¬ 
ment  of  orders.  Over  a  fence,  across  a  road,  and  we  were  in  another 
field,  about  half  the  size  of  the  former,  there  to  find  a  splendid  collec¬ 
tion  of  Apricots  trained  to  stakes,  prior  to  being  dispatched  for  wall 
trees  ;  Apples,  also  subjected  to  the  same  treatment ;  and  long,  seem¬ 
ingly  almost  endless,  rows  of  pyramid  Pears,  Cherries,  and  Plums. 
Scores  of  young  Apple  trees,  only  a  few  feet  high,  were  noticed,  bearing 
half  a  dozen,  and  in  some  instances  more,  large  highly  coloured  fruit, 
showing  how  ready,  even  in  its  infancy,  the  Apple  is  to  respond  to  good 
culture. 
Away,  however,  to  the  homestead  itself  our  steps  were  next  directed, 
and  after  rest  and  refreshment,  both  very  acceptable  on  such  a  broiling 
day,  the  fruit  trees  in  pots  claimed  attention — a  collection  perhaps 
unequalled  in  the  country.  We  were,  of  course,  too  late  to  see  the  fruit 
on  those  far-famed  Peaches  and  Nectarines,  as  the  majority,  hundreds  of 
them,  were  standing  in  various  positions  outdoors,  the  wood  displaying 
maturity  and  plumpness  which  speaks  volumes  for  the  future  crop. 
All,  did  I  say  ?  nay,  not  quite,  for  in  a  large  span-roofed  house  was  a 
magnificent  pyramid  tree  of  that  fine  late  variety  Salway,  12  feet 
high,  and  carrying  seven  or  eight  dozen  perfect  fruits.  A  little 
further  on  was  an  interesting  specimen  of  Violette  Hative  Peach  forty- 
five  years  old,  the  oldest  in  the  nursery,  and  amongst  the  first  grown  by 
the  late  Mr.  Rivers.  Grow  on  old  tree,  and  long  figure  as  a  pioneer  of 
English  Peach  culture  !  The  plants,  we  learnt,  are  potted  one  season 
and  top-dressed  the  next,  and  when  the  fruit  is  about  the  size  of  a 
Walnut  a  surface-dressing  composed  of  kiln  dust  and  horse  droppings 
floaked  in  liquid  manure,  and  left  about  three  days,  is  applied  in  a  thick¬ 
ness  of  2  or  3  inches,  and  the  manner  in  which  the  young  fibres  ramify 
into' it  prove  its  suitability. 
Though,  as  already  stated,  the  Peaches  were  over,  we  were  just  in 
time  for  the  pot  Pears  and  Apples,  large  numbers  of  them  being  plunged 
outdoors  ;  several  vacancies  were  noticed,  caused  by  the  plants  being 
taken  out  for  the  Palace  show,  we  learnt.  The  plants  are  grown  in 
the  orchard  houses  until  the  fruit  is  approaching  maturity,  after  which 
they  are  plunged  outdoors.  The  samples  were  superb.  Pitmaston 
Duchess,  of  size  enormous,  and  Conference,  one  of  Mr.  Rivers’  own 
introductions,  were  carrying  perfect  fruits.  This  is  a  large  pyriform 
fruit  with  salmon  coloured  flesh,  melting,  juicy,  and  rich.  The  tree  is 
robust  and  hardy,  making  strong  growth  on  the  Pear  and  Quince 
stocks.  It  ripens  in  November,  and  will  doubtless  prove  a  good 
market  sort.  Superb  samples  of  Doyenne  du  Comice  were  noticed. 
This  is  a  large  delicious  Pear,  and  forms  a  compact  pyramid  on  the 
Quince.  The  fruit  is  superb  both  in  quality  and  appearance,  and  when 
grown  in  an  orchard  house  ripens  on  the  tree  in  November,  when  it 
may  be  gathered  for  table. 
Scores  of  others  might  be  enumerated,  each  with  its  own  qualifica¬ 
tion,  but  space  forbids,  so  we  pass  on  to  the  Apples,  there  to  find 
Peasgood’s  Nonesuch  large  in  size  and  colour  superb,  a  small  tree  in  a 
13-inch  pot  carrying  a  dozen  grand  fruits.  Another,  Bijou,  in  a  14-inch 
pot  was  burdened  with  no  less  than  forty-five  fruits  of  medium  size, 
brilliant  crimson,  and  a  most  ornamental  Apple  for  pot  culture.  The 
colour  of  Cox’s  Orange  Pippin  grown  under  glass  was  grand,  and  Lord 
Derby  was  of  its  class  no  less  fine,  while  the  deep  rich  colour  of  Cox’s 
Pomona  branded  it  as  perfect.  Many  others  well  known  and  some 
almost  unknown  were  seen  growing  and  fruiting  under  similar  con- 
diitions,  all  marked  with  the  same  characteristics — sturdy,  healthy 
growth,  ripe  wood,  and  richly  hued  fruit. 
Plums,  too  ;  trees  of  Coe’s  Golden  Drop  and  Pond’s  Seedling,  laden 
with  fine  samples,  together  with  that  excellent  introduction  Late 
Transparent,  a  truly  fine  addition  to  the  Transparent  Gage  class,  as  it 
completes  the  season,  ripening  fully  ten  days  after  the  latter.  What  ! 
something  more  recent  still?  Yes,  and  in  the  shape  of  a  rich  golden 
red  Plum,  only  just  received  the  name  of  Primate.  Try  one?  With 
pleasure.  The  flavour  was  delicious,  and  with  its  late  qualities  we 
predict  a  great  future  for  this  variety. 
Fruiting  Vines  came  next,  trained  in  11-inch  pots,  such  as  Golden 
Queen,  Alicante,  White  Tokay,  and  Trebbiano,  carrying  twelve  bunches 
each  of  fair  average  size  and  quality,  proving  that  amateurs  with  only 
limited  space  might  easily  grow  Grapes  in  pots  to  advantage.  In  a  long 
lean-to  range  of  vineries  was  hanging  a  fine  crop  of  Black  Alicante, 
Madresfield  Court,  and  others,  exhibiting  high  colour  and  finish,  while 
in  other  structures  we  noticed  pot  Vines  in  great  numbers,  proving  that 
Messrs.  Rivers’  trade  in  this  departure  is  no  small  one.  The  canes  were 
all  stout  and  well  ripened,  destined  under  proper  treatment  to  produce, 
perhaps,  first  prize  bunches — who  knows  ?  Oranges  form  another  of  the 
many  items  of  interest,  and  many  trees,  some  just  rooted  and  others 
bearing  fruit,  were  noticed. 
Away,  again,  into  another  bewildering  maze  of  fruit  and  forest  trees 
our  steps  were  turned,  there  to  see  Copper  Beeches  and  Chestnuts,  Weep¬ 
ing  Willows,  and  a  hundred  others  in  various  stages  of  growth.  Nuts 
are  extensively  grown,  and  are  propagated  by  inarching  the  better 
varieties  on  the  common  stock.  We  passed  through  acres  of  land  planted 
in  orchard  style  with  fine  standard  specimens  of  the  Plum  Monarch,  and 
here  we  learnt  that  after  two  crops  of  young  stuff  have  been  taken  off 
the  ground  it  is  utilised  for  the  above  purpose.  Thousands  of  well 
trained  Apples,  such  as  Emperor  Alexander,  Rivers’  Codlin,  Gascoigne’s 
Seedling,  and  Ribston  Pippin  took  our  attention  in  this  quarter,  as  so 
did  excellent  trained  specimens  of  Early  Rivers  Nectarine.  “  What, 
another  patriarch  !  ”  we  exclaimed,  on  seeing  an  old  Plum  tree  with  its 
branches  propped  up  all  round,  and  fastened  to  the  stem  was  a  printed 
board  which  stated  that  it  was  the  original  tree  of  Early  Rivera  Plum, 
raised  and  planted  by  Thomas  Rivers  in  1834.  Old  and  time-worn  is  its 
appearance  now,  but  its  gnarled  stem  and  creaking  branches  bear  the 
impress  of  honoured  age.  Another  new  introduction  is  near  at  hand 
— a  late  Plum,  not  yet  ripe — recently  named  President,  and  not,  of 
course,  in  commerce.  It  bears  a  medium-sized  purple  cooking  fruit  of 
attractive  appearance,  and  considering  it  comes  in  after  the  glut  is  over 
it  will  doubtless  be  heard  more  of  later  on  as  a  valuable  market  variety. 
Only  a  brief  word  about  the  Roses,  which  form  a  large  item  at 
Sawbridgewortb,  large  houses  being  devoted  to  Mar^chal  Niel  and  pot 
climbers,  such  as  Climbing  Niphecos,  Devoniensis,  and  many  others, 
while  outdoors  were  extensive  plantations  of  dwarf  Hybrid  Per- 
petuals  and  standards,  but  as  the  season  for  the  queen  of  flowers 
is  over  the  interest  is  somewhat  diminished,  therefore  this  short 
reference  must  suffice.  In  conclusion,  we  may  add  that  it  is  the 
endeavour  of  Messrs.  T.  Rivers  &  Son  to  send  out  nothing  but  high-class 
produce,  all  cankered  or  otherwise  unsuitable  trees  being  consigned  to 
the  rubbish  heap,  and  everywhere  the  condition  of  cleanliness  and  good 
order  reflects  great  credit  on  Mr.  Rivers  and  his  no  less  capable  sons. 
— G.  H.  H. 
ISLE  OF  WIGHT  FRUIT  SHOW. 
The  Isle  of  Wight  Horticultural  Improvement  Association,  a  society 
formed  for  helping  forward  the  movement  of  the  County  Council 
towards  the  technical  instruction  of  the  people  in  horticulture,  deter¬ 
mined  to  take  advantage  of  a  good  Apple  season  to  hold  an  exhibition 
of  fruit  in  the  central  town  of  Newport.  Specimens  were  invited  by 
advertisement  and  circulars,  and  the  carriage  of  fruit  c:pered  to  be  paid. 
Certificates  of  merit  only  to  be  awarded. 
The  result  was  a  grand  exhibition  of  Apples  and  Pears,  with  a  few 
dishes  of  other  fruits,  such  as  never  have  been  seen  in  the  island  before, 
over  800  dishes  being  shown,  and  the  large  Drill  Hall  filled  with  a  very 
imposing  and  creditable  collection.  Messrs.  J.  Cheal  &  Sons,  Crawley, 
staged  a  very  fine  collection  of  100  dishes,  which  helped  considerably 
towards  the  exhibition.  The  collection  contained  many  of  the  newer 
varieties,  conspicuous  being  a  fine  dish  of  Royal  Jubilee  and  a  large 
mound  of  fruit  of  the  Australian  Apple  Bismarck,  with  some  small  trees 
bearing  fruit  to  show  the  prolific  character  of  this  variety.  Mr.  William 
Sheath  staged  an  interesting  collection  from  growers  in  Yentnor  and  the 
Undercliff,  containing  many  old  or  local  varieties.  Mr.  Frank  Orchard 
sent  thirty-eight  varieties  from  the  garden  of  H.  Mitchell,  Esq.,  Under¬ 
mount,  Bonchurch.  Mr.  Tribbick,  gardener  to  C.  Seeley,  Esq.,  Brook 
House,  exhibited  twenty-seven  varieties  of  Apples  and  Pears  of  very 
high  quality,  amongst  which  was  a  very  fine  dish  of  Beurre  Hardy 
P^ar.  Mr.  Wilkins  of  The  Castle  Gardens,  St.  Helens;  and  Mr.  Martin, 
gardener  to  Major  Stratford,  Freshwater,  sent  excellent  collections  of 
first-class  fruit. 
Mr.  C.  Orchard  staged  a  small  but  interesting  exhibit,  grown  in  his 
garden  on  reclaimed  land  at  Bembridge  Harbour,  which  was  especi¬ 
ally  mentioned  by  Mr.  Cheal  in  his  address  as  enlightening  to  fruit 
growers  ;  the  fruit  showing  very  high  colour.  The  Rev.  C.  E.  Jeans 
sent  a  pretty  collection,  containing  good  out-of-door  Peaches — the 
Dartmouth  Crab,  a  very  large  and  showy  fruit  for  decorative  purposes. 
All  the  above  were  awarded  certificates  of  merit. 
Certificates  for  single  dishes  were  also  awarded  to  Mr.  Woolford, 
gardener  to  H.  Grosse  Smith,  Esq.,  The  Priory,  St.  Helens,  for  Peas¬ 
good’s  Nonesuch,  weighing  from  IJ  lb.  to  IJ  lb.  each  ;  Mr.  Wm.  Hayles, 
for  an  extra  bright  dish  of  King  of  the  Pippins  ;  Mr.  C.  Orchard,  for 
Cellini,  very  fine  and  highly  coloured,  and  for  Potts’  Seedling  ;  Mr. 
Tribbick,  a  fine  coloured  dish  of  Beurrb  Hardy  Pear  ;  and  to  Mr. 
Mathews,  Carisbrooke,  for  Emperor  Alexander  and  Blenheim  Orange. 
Other  very  excellent  collections  were  shown. 
During  the  afternoon  and  evening  a  Conference  was  held.  Gerald 
Fox,  Esq.,  J.P.,  Chairman  of  the  Technical  Committee  of  the  Isle  of 
Wight  County  Council,  opened  the  exhibition,  and  addresses  delivered 
by  Mr.  J.  Cheal,  on  “  Fruit  Growing  and  the  Codlin  Moth  ;  ”  Mr. 
C.  Orchard,  “Notes  on  the  Exhibits;”  and  papers  by  Mr.  E.  K. 
Toogood,  on  “  Cultivation  of  Rare  Fruits  ;  ”  “  The  Cultivation  of  Apples 
and  Pears,”  by  Mr.  Tribbick  :  ”  on  “  Gathering,  Storing,  and  Packing,” 
by  Mr.  Barkham  ;  and  an  excellent  paper  on  “The  Utilisation  and 
