JOURXAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
October  31,  1895. 
i'12 
The  leport  would  not  be  complete  if  mention  were  not  made  of  a 
dish  of  Bess  Pool  Apples  and  Pitmaston  Duchess  Pear,  the  last 
admitted  to  be  the  best  dish  in  the  room,  grown  by  Wm.  Smith,  Esq., 
North  Kise,  whose  soil  is  a  poor  clay.  Added  to  this  the  disadvantage 
af  being  in  close  proximity  to  some  of  our  public  works  and  the  smoke 
from  them,  they  reflect  the  highest  credit  upon  the  skill  and  perseverance 
of  the  grower  under  adverse  circumstances. — J.  S.  0. 
APPLES  AND  THEIR  PRICE. 
Thebe  is  no  doubt  that  a  want  of  proper  care  in  picking,  grading, 
and  packing  Apples  has  a  great  deal  to  do  with  the  unfortunate  prices 
that  growers  often  obtain  for  their  produce.  But,  as  “  A.  D.”  truly 
said  in  a  late  number  of  the  Journal,  “  London  is  the  worst  market  to 
which  to  send  fruit  when  it  is  very  abundant,  but  especially  is  it  so 
when  the  sample  is  poor  or  even  moderate.” 
It  was  to  the  last  mentioned  cause,  no  doubt,  that  the  extraordinary 
price  realised  for  a  ton  of  Somersetshire  Apples  was  due,  but  what  about 
the  top  London  prices  ?  In  the  last  number  of  the  Journal  (page  403) 
Apples  per  bushel  at  Covent  Garden  Market  are  reported  at  Is.  3d.  to 
3s.,  yet  fair  Blenheim  Orange,  not  graded  or  selected,  are  snapped  up  in 
this  neighbourhood  (Suffolk)  at  10s.  a  sack  (3  bushels),  and  in  many 
cases  you  would  have  to  fetch  them  yourselves.  They  are  thus  distinctly 
dearer  at  the  orchard  side  than  the  top  London  price.  Here  is  where 
there  seems  to  me  to  be  “something  rotten  in  the  State  of  Denmark.” 
Whose  fault  it  is  I  cannot  say,  but  I  suppose  it  is  that  dealers  in  Apples 
do  not  form  such  a  regular  and  organised  trade  as  dealers  in  corn,  for 
instance.  I  am  always  telling  friends  in  London  who  beg  for  a  basket, 
or  what  not,  of  country  produce,  that  everything  which  can  be  grown 
or  reared  by  an  amateur  in  the  country  can  be  purchased  in  London 
cheaper  as  to  quality  than  we  can  produce  it,  with  the  sole  exception, 
perhaps,  of  fresh  eggs. 
As  to  the  grading  of  Apples.  I  wrote  lately  to  a  certain  district  for 
a  quotation  of  prices  of  certain  Apples,  and  received  two  prices,  selected 
and  “  ordinary,”  or  some  such  term.  This  did  not  seem  to  me  quite 
satisfactory,  for  I  thought  there  ought  to  be  three  classes.  Milk  in  my 
dairy  is  speedily  divided  into  cream,  skim  milk,  and  new  milk.  I  have 
HO  doubt  the  “new  milk”  class  is  unknown  where  Apples  are  graded  at 
all,  but  I  think  it  should  be  known  if  “  ordinary  ”  Apples,  or  whatever 
they  are  called,  are  fruits  with  all  the  good  ones  taken  out.  However, 
now  that  Britons  have  taken  so  seriously  to  grow  their  own  crops  of  that 
fine  fruit,  the  Apple,  it  must  take  some  time  before  the  management  of 
it  becomes  so  organised  that  equal  distribution  and  uniform  prices  can 
be  attained. 
Many  of  my  Apple  trees  have  now  blossoms  and  young  Apples  on 
them,  showing  that  we  may  have  too  much  of  even  such  a  good  thing  as 
“  Eipened  Wood.” — W.  E.  Eaillem. 
TRENT  PARK. 
This,  the  residence  of  F.  A.  Bevan,  Esq.,  is  most  pleasantly  situated 
swo  and  a  half  miles  from  New  Barnet  Station  on  the  Great  Northern 
line.  The  drive  to  the  mansion  through  the  well-timbered  Park  is  about 
a  mile  long,  part  of  the  way  through  an  avenue  of  vigorous  growing 
Lime  trees.  The  house  is  a  squarely  built  structure,  not  very 
ornamental,  but  now  made  more  pleasant  by  the  aid  of  fast-growing 
climbers,  which  tone  down  somewhat  the  plain  appearance  which  it  has. 
A  magnificent  sheet  of  water  on  the  north  side,  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile 
distant,  adds  much  to  the  beauty  of  the  place.  The  pleasure  gardens 
surrounding  the  mansion  are  about  20  acres  in  extent,  pleasing  undula¬ 
tions  naturally  formed  meeting  the  eye  from  many  points  of  view.  There 
is  no  regular  flower  garden  in  the  usual  way  of  beds  devoted  entirely  to 
them,  but  very  large  plots  of  ground  are  planted  with  choice  collections 
of  flowering  and  foliage  plants.  In  front  of  these  a  broad  space  is 
reserved  for  spring  and  summer  flowering  plants.  A  pretty  effect  is 
thus  obtained.  The  kitchen  gardens  and  glass  are  situated  a  quarter  of  a 
mile  from  the  mansion.  Entering  the  kitchen  garden  by  a  side  door  the 
head  gardener’s  house  is  passed,  and  a  well-built  structure  it  is,  and 
most  nleasantly  situated.  Inside  the  walled  part  of  the  garden  the 
area  is  about  2  acres,  devoted  to  vegetables,  hardy  fruit,  and  flowers. 
Broad  paths  run  down  the  centre,  round  the  sides,  and  across,  the  border 
next  the  paths  in  several  instances  being  occupied  with  flowers.  Eoses 
are  largely  grown  on  one  of  these  borders,  of  which  the  best  varieties 
are  planted  in  blocks  of  one  sort,  and  a  very  good  display  is  thus  made. 
A  collection  of  herbaceous  plants  is  being  made,  in  addition  to  annuals, 
such  as  Stocks,  Zinnias,  Cosmos,  and  others. 
Mr.  Lees,  the  head  gardener,  recognises  the  importance  and  value  of 
Michaelmas  Daisies,  not  only  for  embellishing  t’ne  garden  but  for  supply¬ 
ing  cut  flowers.  He  has  already  a  grand  collection  of  the  more  choice 
varieties,  and  purposes  adding  to  them  considerably.  Such  varieties  as 
Eobert  Parker,  cordifolius  elegans,  roseus,  dumosus,  Amellus,  and 
puniceus  pulcherrimus  were  making  a  charming  display  at  the  time  of 
my  visit.  On  each  side  of  one  of  the  paths  in  the  kitchen  garden  is  a 
row  of  bush-trained  Apple  trees  of  approved  kinds.  Gooseberries  are 
trained  to  wires  3  feet  high,  the  rows  8  feet  apart ;  in  this  way  the  fruit 
is  easily  gathered,  the  trees  kept  clean,  while  between  the  rows  crops  of 
some  low  growing  vegetables  or  salading  may  be  grown.  The  walls  are 
well  covered  with  various  kinds  of  fruit  trees.  Peaches  with  a  southern 
aspect  succeed  admirably,  and  so  do  Apricots — Moor  Park  mainly — 
against  a  west  wall.  Pears  are  being  extended,  the  bulk  of  these  in 
double  cordon  form,  with  a  few  trained  fan  fashion.  The  usual  vegetable 
quarters  were  fully  and  systematically  cropped,  the  demand  being  too 
heavy  to  allow  of  much  land  lying  idle. 
The  glass  department  is  somewhat  extensive.  Orchids  are  a  feature, 
several  houses  being  filled  with  them.  A  capital  lot  of  fifty  plants  of 
Dendrobium-Phalmnopsis  Schroderianum  were  carrying  upwards  of  100 
spikes,  and  made  a  charming  display.  Phalsenopsis  Schilleriana, 
P.  Luddemanniana,  P.  amabile,  and  P.  grandiflora  were  quite  at  home 
in  baskets  and  on  blocks  suspended  from  the  roof  in  a  low  span-roofed 
house,  the  gravel  on  the  stage  underneath  them  being  covered  with 
sphagnum  moss  for  the  purpose  of  providing  additional  moisture,  a  plan 
which  appeared  to  be  justifiable.  Calanthe  Veitchi  promises  fine 
fiower  spikes,  so  vigorous  are  they  in  growth.  Two  very  fine  specimens 
in  wire  baskets  of  Gymbidium  Lowianum  cannot  fail  to  arrest  attention 
on  entering  another  house.  The  baskets  are  entirely  hidden  with  masses 
of  Adiantum  cuneatum  and  A  decorum,  the  whole  producing  a  fine 
effect.  Cattleyas,  Dendrobiums,  Ljelias,  and  Coelogynes  were  in 
admirable  condition.  Such  Cypripediums  a«  Spicerianum,  Chamber- 
lainianum,  grande,  Eothschildianum,  Morganire,  Sedeni  candidulum, 
insigne,  i.  Maulei,  and  Chantini  were  in  perfect  health.  Cool-house 
Orchids  are  largely  grown,  some  500  plants  annually  make  a  gorgeous 
display.  Odontoglossums  are  especially  noteworthy,  one  plant  of  crispum 
had  a  spike  showing  five  branches. 
Crotons  are  numerously  grown  in  a  span-roofed  house,  most  of  the 
plants  being  grown  on  single  stems,  and  in  pots  5  inches  and  6  inches  in 
diameter,  for  house  decoration.  It  would  be  difficult  indeed  to  find  a 
healthier,  better-coloured  collection  anywhere.  Carnations  are  here 
much  appreciated,  especially  during  winter  and  early  spring  ;  but  few 
varieties  are  grown — Souvenir  de  Malmaison,  Winter  Cheer,  Germania, 
Miss  Joliffe  Improved,  Mrs.  Lewellyn  (bright  rose),  and  Mrs.  Moore 
(white),  being  of  the  best.  In  the  greenhouse  the  usual  plants,  such  as 
Arum  Lilies  and  winter-flowering  Pelargoniums,  were  in  the  best  of 
health.  Marie  Louise  Violets  were  safely  stored  away  in  frames  for 
future  blossoming. 
Fruit  under  glass  is  both  well  and  extensively  grown.  Muscat  of 
Alexandria  Grapes  were  thoroughly  well  represented.  The  Vines  are 
quite  thirty  years  old,  but  appear  to  be  in  prime  condition,  judging 
from  the  crop  of  well-finished  bunches.  Other  kinds — such  as  Black 
Hamburgh,  Madresfield  Court,  and  Foster’s  Seedling — were  and  had 
borne  heavy  crops  of  capital  fru't.  Eight  hundred  Strawberries  are 
fruited  in  pots,  but  three  varieties  being  grown — Vicomtesse  Hdricart  de 
Thury,  Eoyal  Sovereign,  and  Noble  ;  and,  judging  from  the  present 
state  of  the  plants,  full  crops  of  fruit  may  be  expected  in  March  and 
April.  The  trees  of  Peacbes  and  Nectarines  had  been  cleared  of  their 
crop  of  fruit.  Fig  Brown  Turkey  succeeds  admirably  here,  in  spite  of 
the  fact  that  the  house  devoted  to  its  culture  faces  due  east. 
The  condition  of  the  garden  refiects  much  credit  on  its  custodian, 
Mr.  Lees,  for  the  able  manner  in  which  all  departments  are  managed, 
and  cannot  fail  to  be  a  source  of  gratification  to  his  employer.  It 
was  a  most  enjoyable  day,  and  rendered  the  more  so  by  the  kind 
hospitality  of  Mrs.  Lees  to — A  Easibleb. 
FRUIT  GROWING  IN  GERMANY. 
In  a  report  on  the  trade  of  the  consular  district  of  Frankfort-on-Main, 
Sir  Charles  Oppenheimer,  Her  Majesty’s  Consul-General  at  that  town, 
refers  to  the  efforts  which  are  being  made  in  Germany  to  promote  the 
culture  of  fruit  and  berries.  Fruit  growing  is  now,  it  seems,  fostered  a 
good  deal  by  societies  whose  task  it  is  to  discuss  the  progress  made  in 
this  field  and  to  help  their  members  practically  and  theoretically  in  the 
selection  of  the  qualities  and  the  treatment  of  cultivation.  In  the 
neighbourhood  of  Frankfort,  there  is  especially  the  Eoyal  College  for 
fruit.  Vine,  and  floriculture  at  Geisenheim-am-Ehein,  which  exercises  a 
very  beneficial  influence.  It  organises  series  of  lectures  for  the  in¬ 
struction  of  suitable  persons,  who  are  trained  as  fruit  or  Vine  growers 
or  florists.  It  also  sends  round  travelling  teachers,  who  give  lectures  on 
questions  appertaining  to  this  subject,  and  who  also  give  advice  .as  to 
the  most  lucrative  way  of  disposing  of  the  fruit  crops,  as  to  the  best 
methods  of  drying  and  preserving  kernel  and  stone  fruits  and  vegetables, 
the  packing  of  the  fruit,  the  preparation  of  fruit  syrups,  jellies,  marma¬ 
lades,  juices,  and  as  to  the  preserving  of  the  fruit.  The  culture  of  berry 
fruits  has  been  especially  promoted  by  the  introduction  of  wines  and 
other  productions,  made  from  different  berries  which  have  been  brought 
before  the  consumers  by  the  numerous  exhibitions,  where,  by  means  of 
prizes,  endeavours  were  made  to  increase  the  zeal  of  the  growers  to 
produce  fruit  suitable  for  the  market 
Of  late,  special  attention  baa  been  directed  to  the  better  disposal  of 
the  fruit  crops,  since  the  cultivation  itself  has  made  undoubted  progress. 
Thus,  at  Frankfort  a  central  depot  for  the  sale  of  fruit  has  been  founded 
which  offers  its  services  gratuitously.  It  accepts  offers  from  the  growers 
and  hands  them  on  as  demands  arise.  It  likewise  arranges  in  autumn 
large  fruit  sales,  at  which  the  supply  as  well  as  the  demand  is  very 
lively. 
During  the  season  of  1894,  at  the  commencement  of  August,  goods 
had  already  changed  hands  at  the  central  office  to  the  weight  of 
upwards  of  2,200,000  lbs.,  almost  exclusively  berry  fruits.  The  central 
office  gives  its  assistancs  to  all  interested  parties,  to  buyers  as  well  as 
purchasers,  entirely  free  of  charge.  It  does  not  even  ask  for  the  reim¬ 
bursement  of  its  own  expenses.  The  enterprise  is  purely  conducive  of 
the  public  good,  and  is  intended  to  promote  German  fruit  cultivation. 
It  has  been  successfully  initiated  already  in  a  few  South  German  cities. 
