628 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
Dsoember  31,  1896. 
large  as  far  as  the  texture  and  flavoar  is  concerned ;  therefore  the 
standard  of  size  will  not  hold,  and  the  rule  of  taste  cannot  be  applied, 
as  that  varies  to  an  unlimited  degree. 
One  of  your  writers  infers  that  because  a  prize  is  offered  for 
Blenheims  in  the  kitchen  Apples  at  the  Crystal  Palace  Show,  that  it 
mast  be  a  cooking  sort  only,  but  a  moment’s  rejection  would  show  him 
that  the  R.H.S.  could  scarcely  offer  another  prize  for  the  same  kind  in 
the  dessert  class,  although  judges  would  admit  small  coloured  fruit  there 
without  question. 
Of  the  200  varieties  of  Apples  in  my  catalogue  sixty  are  called 
K.T.  or  T.iv,  ;  in  other  words,  they  are  suitable  for  either  purpose. 
Where  K.  is  first  they  are  preferable  for  cooking,  and  where  T.  preferable 
for  table  use.  It  would  be  folly  to  separate  these  letters  arbitrarily  to 
one  class  or  another. 
Again,  an  Apple  that  a  boy  can  eat  would  not  always  be  acceptable 
to  one  whose  teeth  and  digestion  were  not  in  fair  order  ;  and  to  the  latter 
a  soft-fleshed  fruit,  as  Wealthy,  Pomona,  or  Washington,  would  be 
preferable  to  a  Sturmer  Pippin. 
I  therefore  see  no  good  purpose  to  be  served  by  a  list  drawn  up  by 
the  TI.H.S.  or  any  other  body,  as  even  if  such  a  list  were  made  the 
Scottish  growers  would,  with  their  more  limited  sorts,  be  unable  to  accept 
a  hard  and  fast  rule  j  and,  further,  many  cooking  Apples  late  in  the 
season,  especially  in  a  good  year,  mellow  to  table  quality — Lord  Derby, 
for  Instance.  I  would  only  suggest  that  a  typical  table  fruit  should  be 
below  rather  than  above  medium  size  wherever  the  kind  is  suitable  for 
both  purposes.— George  Buntard,  The  Old  Nurseries,  Maidstone. 
I  HAVE  no  doubt  whatever  but  that  the  Council  of  the  R.H.S.  would 
take  up  the  question  of  kitchen  and  dessert  Apples,  and  if  desired  publish 
an  authoritative  list  before  next  season’s  Apples  are  ready  for  showing. 
There  is,  however,  a  question  which  must  be  settled  before  commencing 
to  formulate  any  such  lists,  and  I  should  like  (if  you  would  permit)  to 
see  some  little  discussion  in  your  columns  upon  it.  It  is  this  : — Is  it 
desired  that  two  definite  lists  shall  be  made,  one  of  kitchen  and  one  of 
dessert  varieties  ?  or  are  three  lists  wished  for,  adding  one  of  varieties 
which  may  be  shown  under  either  head  or  even  under  both  heads,  at  the 
same  s  how  and  by  the  same  exhib 
There  is  no  doubt  whatever  that — 
1,  Many  varieties  universally  recognised  as  “  dessert  ”  cook  very  well, 
and  when  not  wanted  for  dessert  we  actually  do  use  them  in  the 
kitchen. 
2,  Many  people  like  a  somewhat  sharp  Apple  to  eat,  oven  in  preference 
to  a  soft  and  sweet  one.  This  is  especially  the  case  in  the  early  part  of 
the  season.  As  a  boy  I  have  eaten  bushels  of  Keswick  Codlins. 
But  neither  of  these  reasons  appears  to  me  to  be  suflBciently  cogent  to 
induce  me  (if  I  had  to  act  alone)  to  make  a  third  list  or  to  ever  allow 
one  included  in  the  kitchen  Apple  list  to  be  shown  in  dessert  classes  or 
vice  versa.  What  we  want  is  something  not  only  decided  but  simple- 
something  that  cannot  be  misunderstood — and  on  this  ground  I  would 
urge  that  we  ask  the  Council  to  cause  two  lists  of  Apples  to  be  made, 
and  two  only,  and  to  decree  that  however  well  some  in  the  one  list  may 
cook,  snd  however  much  Mr.  A.  or  Master  B.  may  like  some  in  the 
other  list  to  eat,  yet  that  for  showing  purgmes  (at  R,H.S.  shows)  none 
put  in  the  dessert  list  may  be  shown  in  classes  for  cooking  Apples,  and 
none  placed  in  the  kitchen  list  may  be  shown  in  classes  for  dessert 
Apples. 
Everyone  (whether  we  agreed  or  not)  would  be  able  to  understand 
two  such  definite  lists,  and  their  compilation  will  be  comparatively  easy, 
whereas  a  third  list  will  confuse,  and  if  once  attempted  would,  I  think, 
cause  us  incredible  difficulty,  as  we  should  all  want  to  include  our 
favourites  in  it.  However,  there  seems  a  general  wish  that  the  R.H.S. 
should  tackle  the  matter,  and  I  am  sure  the  Council  would  consent ;  but 
before  we  can  ask  them  to  do  so  let  us  arrive  at  some  sort  of  agreement 
as  to  whether  we  want  two  lists  or  three. 
The  suggestion  that  different  points  should  be  given  by  list  to 
different  varieties  seems  to  me  far  too  complicated  a  system  ever  to  work, 
and  certainly  ever  to  be  understood. — W.  Wilm,  Vicar  of  Shirley. 
[Mr,  Wilks’  proposals  are  two  :  1,  That  all  Apples  shall  be  divided 
in  two  lists  only — dessert  and  kitchen — for  showing  purposes.  2,  That 
no  varieties  in  the  kitchen  list  be  eligible  for  dessert  cia.«ses  or  vice  versd. 
Our  readers  are  at  liberty  to  discuss  and  decide  in  favour,  or  the  reverse, 
of  either  or  both  propositions,  which  are  worthy  of  careful  consideration. 
It  will  be  desirable  not  to  mix  them  with  the  question  of  disqualification 
at  shows,  which  is  quite  another  matter,  reaching  far  beyond  the  fruit 
classes  in  schedules  generally.  The  York  case  appears  to  be  settled.] 
HOME  OF  HORTICULTURE, 
Other  Suggestions. 
We  have  long  ago  been  told  that  everything  comes  if  we  know  how 
to  wait.  I  trust  a  lodge  in  London  will  come  at  last  that  will  be  a 
credit  to  horticulture.  We  have  a  very  good  reason  for  it  to  come  now 
in  commemoration  of  the  long  reign  of  our  Gracious  Sovereign.  The 
first  leader  you  honoured  me  with  was  in  1852,  where  I  expressed  hopes 
that  the  Crystal  Palace  should  be  left  intact  on  its  original  site  in  Hyde 
Park.  I  have  been  looking  to  find  the  number  of  the  old  Cottage 
Gardener ,  but  to  find  it  will  require  too  long  a  search  amongst  the 
chests  of  issues  and  “  foul  copy  ”  that  have  accamulated  as  a  biography 
beginning  with  your  scribe  “Upwards  and  Onwards.”  1  must  own, 
however,  that  my  views  have  become  modified  since  then,  as  my  opinions 
now  are  not  so  very  far  away  from  those  of  “A.  D,,”  page  677.  But 
be  that  as  it  may,  I  have  for  a  long  time  thought  that  Lincolns  Inn 
Fields  would  be  an  appropriate  site  to  hold  the  R.H.S.  great  flower 
shows  in  London  ;  they  would  there  catch  the  people  all  round. 
I  believe  a  new  street  is  contemplated  to  be  tun  from  the  Strand 
through  the  Fields  into  Holborn,  Necessity  will  also  soon  involve  the 
Central  Underground  Railway,  via  the  Marble  Arch  to  the  Mansion 
House.  Concluding  the  above  is  to  happen,  what  site  could  be  found 
more  convenient  or  suitable  than  L,LF.  for  our  hall  and  shows  ?  It 
would  not  much  signify  whether  it  was  the  Strand  or  the  Holborn  end 
of  the  street  abntting  on  the  Square  that  the  institution  found  its  place. 
Mr.  Wood’s  plan,  on  page  679,  struck  me  in  its  fB(;ade  as  being  much 
like  the  National  Gallery  in  Trafalgar  Square,  with  its  well  abused 
“pepper-boxes.”  Mr.  Wood  owns  to  “modification,”  and  doubtless 
would  consider  a  building  to  contain  a  grand  ball  centrally  and  a 
committee  room  suitable  for  the  R.H.S,  fortnightly  meetings  and  the 
accruing  exhibits  ;  with  fioorage  above,  according  to  circumstances,  and 
storage  below,  or  basement  sufficiently  commodious  to  store  large 
exhibition  tents,  stands,  and  tables  on  the  spot.  And  what  is  so  well 
adapted  for  the  exhibition  of  flowers  and  other  horticultural  productions 
in  the  summer  time  than  large  handsome  tents. 
Bnt  to  return  to  our  hall.  Mr.  Wood’s  plan  for  bis  wings  would 
constitute  a  general  hotel  for  one  side,  and  a  temperance  hotel  on  the 
other  for  rigid  “  abstainers  ”  like  my  friend  “  A.  D.,”  and  I  know  they 
are  legion  in  the  gardening  fraternity.  I  am  speaking  for  exhibitors 
and  visitors  to  the  great  shows,  plus  the  same  for  the  fortnightly 
meetings,  visitors  from  the  country.  This  would  constitute  convenience 
and  “  business  ”  up  to  date — lodgment  and  food  for  the  weary. 
Pray  do  not  let  us  have  anything  to  do  with  permanent  glass 
structures  for  the  great  exhibitions  of  flowers  in  London.  The  belcbings 
from  the  chimneys  would  very  soon  plaster  them  over  with  permanent 
soot ;  nor  do  I  think  we  should  want  the  addenda  of  any  miserable 
gardening  in  the  heart  of  London  for  country  visitors;  A  short  walk  to 
Covent  Garden  would  more  than  satisfy  any  craving  in  that  respect. 
Pictures — well,  I  can  enjoy  the  sight  of  a  good  picture  anywhere  ;  but 
1  would  prefer  to  see  them  and  the  statuary  by  the  old  and  the  new 
masters  in  safer  and  more  genial  keeping  than  to  be  mixed  up  with 
horticultural  exhibitions.  It  would  not  be  a  far  cry  for  those  who  felt 
so  disposed  to  journey  to  any  of  our  national  galleries,  and  so  appease 
their  minds  undistractedly.  Mr.  Wood’s  statistics  require  a  great  deal 
of  study,  and  have  required  it  from  him.  They  are  greatly  appreciated, 
and  at  the  present  time  rather  strike  home  ”  to  me.  I  am  a  church¬ 
warden  of  a  good  many  years  standing,  and  I  am  meditating  the 
reseating  of  our  St.  Michael’s  Church,  in  commemoration  of  Her 
Majesty’s  long  reign.  I  should  like  to  rebuild  the  church,  but  that 
would  be  asking  too  much.  Moral. — Robt.  Fenn, 
ORANGES  AND  WHERE  THEY  COME  FROM. 
At  a  moment  when  the  ruddy  yellow  of  the  Orange  is  so  much  in 
evidence  on  the  fruiterers’  stalls,  it  seems  not  nnnatnral,  writes  a  corre¬ 
spondent  of  the  “  Daily  News,”  to  ask  a  few  pertinent  questions  about  it 
of  someone  who  was  well  informed  on  the  subject. 
Valencia  Oranges. — It  was  at  the  Monument  that  I  had  the 
following  ronveieacion  with  an  Orange  broker  of  long  familiarity  with 
all  the  ins  and  oats  of  the  fruit  trade,  “  And  where  are  the  main 
centres  of  the  Orange  importation  ?”  1  asked.  “  London  and  Liverpool,” 
said  he,  “  though  Hull  takes  a  large  quantity,"  “  And  when  does  the 
Orange  year  begin  ?  ”  “  Well,  it  lasts  all  the  year  round.  But  for  the 
large  crop,  the  first  arrivals  are  in  November.  They  come  from  Valencia 
district,  which  is  in  Spain,  yon  know.  A  lot  of  early  stuff,  however, 
comes  from  Almeria  and  Malaga.  The  Valencia  business  is  enormous, 
running  through  the  season  to  something  over  100,000  packages  a 
week,  packages  weighing  over  a  hundredweight  each.  That  lasts  from 
November  to  March,  and  they  continue  coming  in  more  or  less  large 
quantities  down  to  June  and  July.” 
I  took  from  the  hands  of  the  broker  a  sheet  of  paper,  from  which  I 
gathered  that  165,000  cases  of  Oranges  arrived  in  LivC'pool  from 
Valencia  in  the  ten  weeks  specified  ;  13,721  cases  from  Lisbon,  Seville, 
and  Hnelva  ;  and  4237  from  Oporto  and  Aveiro.  Then  there  were  37,000 
small  cases  from  Jaffa.  “Then  the  Jaffa  trade  is  getting  very  much 
larger,”  said  I.  “  By  the  way,  what  does  the  Jaffa  small  case  weigh  f  ” 
“  Three-quarters  of  a  hundredweight.” 
The  Exhaustion  op  “  St.  Michaels.”—*"  When  [  was  younger, 
the  good  Oranges  came  from  St.  Michaels,  in  the  Azores.  How  Jo  the 
Azores  stand  to-day?”  “The  Azores,”  said  the  broker,  “are  now 
practically  finished  with  as  far  as  London  is  concerned.  They  have  been 
going  to  Hull  of  late  years.  In  proportion  to  what  they  us^  to  be,  the 
quantities  of  Oranges  coming  from  the  Azores  is  exceedingly  small. 
The  farmers  there  pat  too  much  chemical  manure,  guano,  and  that  sort 
of  thing  into  the  soil.  The  resnlt  was  that  the  Oranges  so  produced  would 
not  stand  the  racket  of  the  sea  voyage.  Owing  to  this  constitutional 
breakdown,  the  Orange  orchards  have  been  largely  destroyed.” 
The  Australian  Experiment. — “  But  Valencia  is  helped  out  by 
Oranges  from  other  parts — Florida^  for  example  ?  ”  “  Valencia  does  It 
all,”  said  the  broker,  with  emphasis ;  “  though  supplementary  stuff 
comes  from  everywhere,”  “  From  Australia,  tor  example  ?  ”  “  Yes,  from 
Australia  ;  and  capital  stuff  it  was  too.  That  trade  seems  likely  to 
develop,  as  the  Oranges  were  of  very  high  quality,  and  realised  very 
high  prices — that  was  early  in  September.” 
Floridas. — “  The  difficulty  with  '  Floridas  ‘  is  the  cost  of  the  transit, 
