592 
JOURN-AL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
Docembor  17,  1896 
was  doue  at  York  or  not.  If  the  Royal  Hortioultural  Society  settle  the 
matter  it  it  hoped  that  every  person  concerned  will  loyally  accept  its 
deoiiioB.I  _ 
Pliease  allow  me  a  little  more  of  yonr  valuable  space.  Referring  to 
the  above  named  subject,  first  let  me  say  that  until  the  judging  was  over 
I  did  not  know  whose  fruit  we  had  been  judging.  In  my  previous  note  I 
made  use  of  the  following  sentence  : — “  We  did  this  on  the  ground  that 
the  exhibitor  might  have  pnt  it  in  in  ignorance” — i.s.,  Emperor 
Alexander  Apple.  Inadvertently,  would  have  better  expressed  my 
feelings.  However,  neither  word  was  needed,  as  I  learn  on  good 
authority  that  more  than  one  good  fruit  grower  told  Mr.  Riddell  in  the 
morning  he  was  running  a  risk  in  putting  that  Apple  in  his  collection  of 
dessert  fruits. 
Personally  1  should  gladly  accept  the  decision  of  the  R.H.S.  on  the 
point  at  issue — vii^,,  is  Emperor  Alexander  Apple  a  kitchen  or  dessert 
variety  ?  Let  us  keep  to  the  point.  There  is  danger  that  the  scent  may 
be  lost  or  overrun.  In  addition  to  the  authorities  already  named, 
“  The  Fruit  Growers’  Guide,”  by  Mr.  J.  Wright,  F.R.H.S.,  includes  the 
Apple  in  question  amongst  culinary  varieties.  In  your  reply  to 
“  Bedfordshire  Foundling,”  page  659,  you  quote  from  “  British  Apples,” 
the  report  of  the  Apple  Congress  in  1883.  Evidently  yonr  point  was  to 
prove  that  Emperor  Alexander  Apple,  like  Blenheim  Pippin,  is  eligible 
both  as  a  culinary  and  dessert  variety. 
What  I  should  like  to  know  is.  While  you  were  quoting  from  the 
report  in  question  why  did  you  not  also  quote  that  at  the  election 
referred  to  Emperor  Alexander  Apple  received  twenty-eight  votes  (28) 
as  a  culinary  variety,  but  not  one  as  a  dessert  ?  The  writer  of  this 
note  was  one  of  the  twenty-eight  who  voted  as  above,  and  does  so  yet  in 
spirit.  I  have  not  seen  a  copy  of  the  judging  code,  but  it  appears  to  me 
that  your  quotation  therefrom  at  page  559 — viz.,  paragraph  8,  page  fi — 
in  your  reply  to  Mr.  Herrin,  entirely  covers  the  judges’  position  as  taken 
up  at  York.  T  must  thank  you  for  giving  so  much  valuable  space  and 
attention  to  this  matter,  and  1  hope  and  trust  that  some  real  good  may 
result  from  the  discussion. 
Judging  by  the  writers  in  your  columns  and  from  private  corre¬ 
spondence,  there  is  evidently  much  interest  taken  in  the  question.  I 
have  received  letters  from  well-known  fruit  growers  and  exhibitors,  some 
of  whom  are  personally  not  known  to  me,  thanking  us  for  taking  the 
position  we  did  at  York.  I  am  not  one  of  those  who  believe  in  the 
infallibility  of  majorities  ;  even  if  I  did,  so  far  as  my  experience  goes, 
we  sbonld  not  be  on  the  wrong  side  in  this  matter. — H.  J.  C.,  Grimston 
Gardens,  Tadcaster. 
(  There  is  no  section  for  ”  K.D.  ”  fruits  in  the  B.H.S.  Apple  Con¬ 
gress  Report,  and  in  that  case  we  consider  Emperor  Alexander  rightly 
placed.  Onr  correspondent  ought  to  possess  the  B.H.S.  "Judging 
Code,”  which  we  think  can  be  bad  from  117,  Victoria  Street,  West¬ 
minster,  for  Is.  Id.] 
The  Classification  of  Apples. 
Much  ink  has  been  shed  from  time  to  time  over  this  difficult 
problem,  and  if  only  in  the  interests  of  exhibitors  of  tbs  fruit  it  is 
expedient  that  some  desirable  solution  of  the  difficulty  be  evolved  as 
soon  as  possible,- either  by  an  authorised  pomological  code,  or,  failing 
that,  by  an  explicit  intimation  in  the  exhibition  schedule  to  the  effect 
that  “  no  variety  can  be  shown  in  both  classes.”  Thus,  for  instance, 
restricting,  say,  Blenheim  Pippin  either  to  the  culinary  or  the  dessert 
class — though  this  variety  is  eligible  for  both  purposes— some  such  rule 
I  opine  would  prove  a  readier  reference  or  basis  than  the  morre  difficult 
one  of  drawing  a  line  between  culinary  and  dessert  varieties  proper, 
considering  there  are  so  many  suitable  for  either  purpose. 
Apropos  of  the  recent  controversy  in  the  Journal  of  Uortieulture 
anent  Emperor  Alexander  Apple  as  a  dessert  variety,  I  fear  that  inas¬ 
much  as  there  exist  probably  as  many  degrees  of  palates  as  there  are 
degrees  of  flavour  in  Apples  and  Pears,  it  would  be  difficult  to  devise  a 
formula  for  general  acceptance.  Some  palates  affect  such  cooking  sorts 
in  theraw state 03  the  briskly  acidulous  Dumelow’s  Seedlingor  Wellington, 
or  the  poignant  Hanwell  Souring,  in  preference  to  the  sweetest  dessert 
varieties. 
There  is  also  a  uiversity  of  opinion  regarding  the  properties  of  the 
popular  Blenheim  either  as  a  dessert  or  a  culinary  sort,  and  though  good 
for  both  it  is  excelled  by  several  others,  needless  to  mention,  lacking  as 
it  does  that  vinous  piquancy  or  pleasant  acidulousness  desirable  in  a 
first-class  Apple.  This  may  be  considered  somewhat  heterodox,  con¬ 
sidering  the  recognised  popularity  of  the  Blenheim  Pippin,  and  which 
its  handsome  appearance  ^Ips  to  sustain. 
What  has  been  advanced  in  regard  to  Apples,  it  may  be  opportune  to 
remark,  approximately  applies  to  Pears,  though  hardly  anyone  would 
prefer  a  stewing  sort,  such  as  Uvedale’s  St.  Germain,  Catillao,  Vernlam, 
or  Black  Worcester,  to  the  best  dessert  varieties,  yet  I  have  known  such 
instancv  s,  and,  needless  to  gay,  did  not  envy  their  taste.  Most  dessert 
Pears,  however,  are  saitable  for  cooking  if  taken  in  the  proper  season  ; 
and  in  reference  to  exhibition  purposes  it  is  not  infrequent  for  growers 
to  substitute  unripe  fruits  of  such  as  Beurr^  Ranee,  Glou  Morceau,  and 
Beurri  Bachelier  for  the  recognised  stewing  varieties,  and  rig’utly  so  far. 
A  more  definite  classification,  however,  would  prove  of  material  value 
to  both  exhibitors  and  judges,  and  the  lack  of  which  was  exemplified 
at  a  recent  local  show,  where  two  exhibitors  staged  ripe  and  delicious 
fruits  of  King  Edward’s  (syn,,  Jackman’s  Melting)  Pear,  misnamed 
Uvedale’s  St.  Germain,  and  as  such  recognised  by  the  judges,  excepting 
that  one  of  them  thought  it  might  be  Hurondeau.  The  exhibitors  might 
be  excused  on  the  plea  that  they  had  on  one  or  two  previous  occasions 
been  awarded  prizes  under  the  same  circnmstances. 
There  can  ho  no  doubt  that  the  formulation  of  a  more  definite  classi. 
fication  pertaining  to  the  subject  in  question  is  "  a  consummation  devoutly 
to  be  wished,”  and  the  sooner  the  better  now  the  ball  has  been  set 
rolling. — W.  G.,  Birningham. 
BOYAL  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 
Drill  Hall.  December  ISth. 
This  was  a  very  gratifying  exhibition  and  formed  a  fitting  concln- 
sion  to  the  many  excellent  shows  that  have  been  held  during  189ti. 
The  exhibits  were  both  numerous  and  of  excellent  quality.  Sir  Trevor 
Lawrence’s  group  of  Calanthes  was  a  show  in  itself.  Fruit  and  general 
plants  were  also  well  shown. 
Fruit  Committee — Present:  P.  Crowley,  Eeq.  (in  the  chair); 
with  Rev.  W.  Wilks  and  Messrs.  G.  Bunyard,  J.  Cheal,  P.  Veitch,  J.  H. 
Veitch,  G.  W.  Cummins.  A.  F.  Barron,  W.  Pope,  G.  Sage,  G.  Reynolds, 
J.  Smith,  H.  Balderson,  F.  Q.  Lane,  G.  Wythes,  W.  Bates,  C.  Ilerrin, 
W.  Farr,  C.  Ross,  A.  J.  Laing,  A.  Dean,  and  J.  Wright. 
As  will  be  seen,  and  as  is  usual  at  the  last  meeting  of  the  year,  there 
was  a  large  attendance  of  members,  and  several  products  were  examined, 
inoludiog  collections  of  fruits  on  the  side  tables.  Mr.  W.  Allan  sent 
from  Qunton  Park  three  fruits  of  a  new  Pear  named  President  Baralie, 
The  fruits  varied  in  size,  one  of  them  being  large.  It  is  a  roundish 
Bergamot-like  Pear  with  a  russety  skin  ;  eye  level  with  the  surface, 
large  and  open,  with  erect  segments  ;  stalk  half  an  inch  long,  thick,  and 
set  in  a  small  cavity  ;  flesh  juicy  and  delicately  flavoured.  A  promising 
Pear,  for  which  an  avard  of  merit  would  have  been  granted  had  there 
been  six  fruits  in  accovdance  with  the  stipulations. 
Mrs.  Wingfield  Grape  was  again  sent  by  Mr.  Empson.  The  fruits 
are  of  good  size,  oval,  black,  but  had  lost  colour  ;  the  berries  were  firm 
and  fresh.  The  Vine  was  planted  under  the  name  of  Muscat  Hamburgh, 
but  the  majority  of  the  Committee  considered  the  Grape  to  be  Black 
Morocco  or  Kempsey  Alicante.  Mr.  Empson  sent  a  dtsb  of  highly 
coloured  Apple  Beauty  of  Ampthill,  good  in  appearance,  but  inferior  in 
quality  ;  also  Godina’s  Mammoth  Capsicum,  very  large  crimson  fruits, 
for  which  a  vote  of  thanks  was  recorded.  Mr.  C.  Ross  sent  several 
seedling  Apples,  and  although  most  of  them  were  attractive  in  appear¬ 
ance  their  quality  was  not  such  as  to  merit  any  award.  The  most 
promising  was  Mrs.  Phillimore,  a  large  angular  fruit  with  five  prominent 
ridges,  colour  similar  to  Cox’s  Pomona  ;  flesh  tender  and  sweet,  like  the 
Gravenstein.  The  Committee  desired  to  see  fruits  again  a  little  earlier 
in  the  season. 
Mr.  J.  Smith  sent  from  Mentmore  fine  bunches  of  Lady  Hutt  (white) 
and  Appley  Towers  (black)  Grapes.  The  first  named  very  pleasant,  like 
the  Duke  of  Buccleuch.  but  berries  smaller  ;  the  other  brisker  and  fuller 
flavoured.  Two  good  Grapes,  which  Mr.  Smith  had  grown  well,  and  a 
cultural  commendation  was  unanimously  awarded. 
Mr.  W.  Farr  sent  a  large  basket  of  ripe  fruits  of  Tomato  All  the  Year 
Round,  a  King  Humbert  or  Chiswick  Red  type  of  fruit,  but  firmer  and 
very  bright  red.  A  cultural  commendation  was  promptly  granted. 
Mr.  T.  W.  Thornton,  Secretary  Beckenham  Horticultural  Society, 
sent  p*per  plates  for  exhibiting  fruits,  light,  neat,  handy,  and  cheap,  as 
they  can  be  bad  for  48.  Cd.  per  100  (vote  of  thanks).  Mr.  A.  Dean 
exhibited  one  of  the  boxes  in  which  Potatoes  are  stored  for  keeping  and 
planting  in  the  Surrey  County  Council  trials.  They  cost  6d.  each,  and, 
as  Mr.  Dean  said,  would  easily  last  six  years,  or  Id.  a  year,  'They  hold 
about  a  peck,  closely  packed,  so  that  sturdy  growths  are  produced  in  a 
light  place,  and  retained  for  planting  (vote  of  thanks). 
Well  fruited  branches  of  Tomatoes  were  exhibited  by  Mr.  Owen 
Thomas,  and  a  vote  of  thanks  recorded.  Mr.  Fyfe,  Lockinge  Park 
Gardens,  exhibited  sixty  dishes  of  fine  Apples  and  five  bunches  of 
Muscat  of  Alexandria  Grapes  (silver  Banksian  medal).  A  similar  award 
was  granted  to  Messrs.  J.  Laing  &  Sons,  who  staged  upwards  of  fifty 
dishes  of  Apples  ;  and  a  silver  Knightian  to  Messrs.  Rivers  &  Son  for  a 
larger  collection.  The  medals  were  awarded  in  each  case  unanimously. 
Floral  Committee. — Present :  W.  Marshall,  Eeq.  (in  the  chair)  ; 
with  Messrs.  J.  Fraser,  H.  B.  May,  H.  Herbst,  R.  Dean,  R.  Owen, 
G.  Stevens,  J.  Hudson,  G.  Nicholson,  W.  Bain,  T.  Peed,  J,  D.  Pawle, 
C.  E.  Shea.  J.  W.  Barr,  H.  Turner,  H.  Cannell,  G.  Paul,  J.  T.  Becnett- 
Pob,  C.  Jeffries,  R.  M.  Hogg,  G.  Gordon,  E.  Beckett,  and  J.  Laing. 
Messrs.  W.  Cutbush  <fe  Son,  Highgate,  arranged  a  large  collection  of 
Oranges  in  pots,  and  small  plants  of  Sklmraia  japonica.  bearing 
numerous  clusters  of  fruit  (silver  Banksian  medal).  Messrs.  Wm.  Paul 
and  Son,  Waltham  Cross,  staged  a  number  of  plants  of  the  Rose 
Enchantress,  which  forcibly  demonstrated  its  utility  as  a  winter  bloomer. 
The  variety  is  of  excellent  habit  and  extremely  free  (silver  Flora 
medal).  Chrysanthemums  in  extensive  variety  were  sent  by  Messrs. 
Young  &  Dobinson,  Stevenage.  The  colours  were  rich  and  pure  (bronze 
Banksian  medal).  Foliage  plants  were  staged  by  Messrs.  J.  Laing 
and  Sons.  Forest  Hill.  The  specimens  were  all  clean  and  healthy. 
Mr.  P.  lisdds,  Swanley,  sent  flov’ers  of  Chrysanthemum  Christmas  Gold, 
the  colour  of  which  is  very  rich. 
For  brilliancy  of  colouring  the  exhibit  of  Zonal  Pelargoniums  from 
Messrs.  H.  Cannell  &  Sons,  Swanley,  was  unrivalled  in  the  hall.  The 
varieties  comprised  O.  W.  Holmes,  Mdlle.  Trine,  Snowdrop,  Mrs.  P. 
Routh,  Volcanic,  John  Euskin,  Duchess  of  Marlborough,  and  many 
others,  were  arranged  in  large  bunches  over  a  groundwork  of  Maiden¬ 
hair.  The  excellence  of  the  flowers  was  clearly  apparent.  Splendidly 
