Part 29

=APOCYNUM= (from _apo_, away, and _kyon_, a dog; adopted by Dioscorides, because the plant was supposed to be poisonous to dogs). ORD. _Apocynaceæ_. Dog's Bane. Perennial erect herbs, with cymose flowers and membranous, opposite leaves. There are several species belonging to this genus, but only the one described below is worthy of being cultivated. They are of extremely easy culture, thriving in any ordinary soil; and may be propagated by suckers, divisions, or seeds. The best time to divide is just as they are starting into fresh growth in spring.

=A. androsæmifolium= (Tutsan-leaved).* _fl._ pale red, with darker stripes; corolla campanulate; cymes terminal and lateral. July. _l._ ovate, glabrous, petiolate, pale beneath. _h._ 1ft. to 2ft. Virginia, and Canada, 1683. A very old garden favourite, thriving best in peaty soil, with Azaleas, &c. See Fig. 118.

=APONOGETON= (from _apon_, Celtic for water, and _geiton_, neighbour; alluding to the habitat of these plants). ORD. _Naiadaceæ_. Very ornamental aquatic perennials. There are several species, but _A. distachyon_ is superior to the others. This species may be cultivated in small tanks or aquaria; it delights in an abundance of light and air, and is perfectly hardy, having become naturalised in many parts of the country. Pot the plants in rich sandy loam and rotten cow manure, using, of course, small pots, if the vessel in which it is to be grown is restricted. When introducing it to large tanks or lakes, commence with strong, previously well-established plants, in large pots, breaking the latter when the plants are immersed. Place them in positions where the water is about 1ft. 6in. to 2ft. deep; they will then rapidly increase by offsets and seeds, and, when established, will flower nearly all the year round. The other kinds will thrive with the same treatment; but they are neither so hardy nor so vigorous, and should only be grown in small tanks or aquaria.

=A. angustifolium= (narrow-leaved). _fl._ white. July. Cape of Good Hope, 1788. Half hardy.

=A. distachyon= (two-spiked).* Cape Pond Weed; Winter Hawthorn. _fl._ with a delicious Hawthorn-like perfume; petals none; bracts, or showy portion oval, entire, white; anthers purple-brown; scape two-spiked, each spike being from 2in. to 4in. long. _l._ oblong-lanceolate, entire, bright green, on long stalks, floating. Cape of Good Hope, 1788. See Figs. 119 and 120.

=A. monostachyon= (simple-spiked). _fl._ pink. September. _h._ 1ft. East Indies, 1803. Stove species. Rare.

=A. spathaceum junceum= (rush-like).* A very pretty, but rare, half-hardy aquatic plant, with the forked inflorescence having both bracts and flowers suffused with a delicate blush colour. _l._ rush-like, standing clear up out of the water. South Africa, 1879.

=APORETICA.= A synonym of =Schmidelia= (which _see_).

=APPENDICULATE, APPENDICULATED.= Having appendages.

=APPLANATE.= Flattened out.

=APPLE= (_Pyrus Malus_). The Apple is one of the most useful, and probably most largely cultivated, of our hardy fruits. It is known as the Crab in its wild state, and is indigenous to Britain and to all the temperate and warmer parts of Europe. It is supposed that the progenitors of the varieties now grown were introduced to this country at various times from the Continent, and not obtained here as direct improvements on the native Crab. Those now cultivated are extremely numerous, and include good varieties that can be made to prolong the season all the year round. Apart from its great value as a fruit, the apple is a strikingly handsome tree when in flower (see Fig. 121). A fruiting branch is shown at Fig. 122.

_Propagation._ Seeds are sown extensively, chiefly for raising stocks to graft approved sorts on; also with a view to raising new varieties. The seeds do not retain their germinative properties very long, consequently they must be sown soon after being taken from the fruit. As grown in this country, they are generally sown in the autumn, transplanted the following year, and so on until they are of sufficient size for Grafting purposes. The standard of excellence being at present so high, improved forms raised from seed are comparatively scarce.

_Grafting._ This method of propagation is the one generally adopted for most purposes, the stocks being previously prepared for size or height of tree required. Cordon and other dwarf-trained trees should be worked near but not below the ground, while standards are best worked on stocks of the desired height. The practice of working standard trees low, and growing the scion to form the stem of the future tree, is not recommended, as many of the tenderer sorts will not grow straight or strong enough for the purpose. Whip-grafting is the most preferable mode adopted. The scions should be selected from healthy trees not later than January, and laid in singly in the ground until the stocks have slightly advanced in growth, which is generally about the middle of April. Several other methods of Grafting may be adopted with success, but the one above recommended is considered the best.

_Budding._ Apples may be successfully propagated by Budding, and this method is practised much more now than formerly. It has many advantages, as it requires to be performed at a season when there is not so much work in hand. It should be done in damp, dull weather, if possible, as the weather if dry soon destroys the buds. July and August is the proper time for the purpose. The stocks and woods from which the buds are taken should be as much as possible in the same condition.

_Propagation by Cuttings, Layers, &c._ This system may be made use of in the case of new varieties or where it is desired to increase any one variety with a limited number of scions, but the results are uncertain--at least in the case of cuttings; consequently, it is much better to resort to the safer method of Grafting.

_Pruning._ _See_ =Pruning=.

_Training._ _See_ =Training=.

_Planting._ The best time to plant is as soon as most of the leaves have fallen, which is generally about the end of October. The roots being then in an active state, and the ground still retaining a certain amount of heat, they will form new roots before winter, which is a material advantage. Where it is impossible to plant at this time, it may be done in suitable weather any time during the winter, but it is best not deferred till spring. It is important in planting that the soil should be moderately dry and free from frost; this condition cannot always be obtained during winter. The effects of soil and situation have a very important bearing on the Apple, specimens of the same sort from different places being often hardly recognisable. Although not over fastidious in the matter of soil as far as growing is concerned, the best results are obtained where it is of a rich loamy character and well drained. Dry, sandy soils invariably produce canker, while the trees are often overgrown with lichens in undrained land. The addition of heavier loam, or sometimes trenching and mixing the sub-soil with that at the top, will convert light soils into those suitable for Apple culture; while, on the other hand, heavy soils may be improved by drainage, the addition of lime, vegetable refuse, burnt earth, and other matters. Rank manure should on no account be used anywhere near the roots, but a little well-decayed manure, mixed with the soil or used as a mulching, is beneficial. The site best suited is an open, though not exposed one, with a south, south-east, or south-west aspect. Shelter from north-east winds in spring, which destroys the bloom, and from west and south-west winds in autumn, which blow down the fruit, should be the aim of cultivators. Planting in a valley should be avoided on account of spring frosts. In Planting, care must be taken to make the bottom of the hole tolerably firm, and slightly raised under the base or bole of the tree. The roots should then be carefully spread out all round, and if any have been ruptured in transplanting, cut them clean off on the upper side, thus inducing new roots to be formed near the surface. The soil should be trodden firmly after a quantity has been filled in, if it is in a dry, suitable condition, as previously recommended. Secure with stakes in proportion to the size of tree, or injury will be caused by the wind. The distance at which Apple trees are planted varies considerably. Standards in orchards may be planted in good soil, from 20ft. to 40ft. apart, especially if they are strong-growing culinary sorts. Pyramids may be planted from 5ft. to 15ft., according to size; and similar distances will suit Bush trees. The oblique Cordon system of training admits of a large number of varieties being cultivated in a small space, as they may be planted as close as 18in. or 2ft. apart. Horizontal Cordons should be planted about 5ft. asunder, and one branch trained each way. Watering will be necessary after planting in most cases, especially should the winter and following season be at all dry. Thinning the fruit is sometimes advisable for obtaining good specimens, but it is not generally necessary, at least with many of the shy-setting sorts. If, however, the crop should be exceptionally heavy, it is best to thin the fruit, or the tree may be unable to make and ripen its wood for the crop of the succeeding year.

_Gathering._ The three following tests are sure indications of the gathering period: (1) The apples will begin to fall of their own accord; (2) their seeds will be plump and brown in colour; and (3) the fruit will separate with a mere touch from the trees; the second test may be said to be infallible. All Apples should be gathered before the end of October, for none will bear frost with impunity. They must be gathered in dry weather, and handled with the greatest care, laid gently in baskets and trays, in single file only, and conveyed to the store room.

_Storing._ The simplest and best method is in choosing or forming some room or place free from extremes of heat and cold, dryness or damp, where a temperature of about 45deg. is maintained. A current of air is not necessary. The shelves should be made of poplar, sycamore, lime, or other white wood. Deal, oak, ash, elm, and almost all other woods, give a bad taste to the fruit. One sheet of paper--and paper only--should be placed under the fruit. They ripen best, and are of the highest flavour when left fully exposed to the free atmosphere of the fruit room, and in order to preserve a more even temperature the light should be shut out. Early and late ripening varieties must be stored in separate places, as well as all inferior or injured fruit. The plan of isolating each fruit by packing in tissue paper, sand, burnt earth, or other substances, often destroys the flavour of the fruit, and possesses no material benefit otherwise.

_Diseases._ Apple Mussel Scale, Apple or Codlin Grub, Canker, Mildew, American Blight, Scale, and Insect Pests, such as Caterpillars, Maggots, and Weevils, _see_ under their separate headings.

The following are some of the best varieties in cultivation:--

=Adams' Pearmain.= Dessert. Fruit medium, very handsome; flavour juicy and sugary. December to March.

=Alexander.= Kitchen. Very large, showy, and good. September to December.

=Alfriston.= Kitchen. Very fine, large, white flesh. November to April.

=Ashmead's Kernel=, or =Cockle Pippin=. Dessert. Fruit below medium; flavour very rich and sugary. This variety is, according to Mr. Rivers, much esteemed in Gloucestershire. November to January.

=Bedfordshire Foundling.= Kitchen. Fruit large. One of the finest and most useful sorts, a great bearer. February to May.

=Bess Pool.= Kitchen. Fruit large. Good late cooking apple. December to May.

=Betty Geeson.= Kitchen. Fruit large, produced in great abundance. February to May. A valuable sort.

=Blenheim Pippin.= One of the best kitchen sorts. November to February.

=Boston Russet.= Dessert. Fruit medium; flavour very sugary and rich, similar to the Ribston Pippin. An excellent American variety. January to May.

=Brabant Bellefleur.= Kitchen. Fruit large, round, pale yellow, red-streaked. A most useful cooking variety, also useful for dessert. November to April.

=Calville Blanche.= Dessert. Fruit large; flavour first-class. October to December. See Fig. 123.

=Cellini.= Kitchen. Fruit perfect in form, size, colour, and quality. October to January.

=Claygate Pearmain.= Dessert. Fruit medium; flavour rich, aromatic, excellent, same as Ribston Pippin. January to May.

=Coe's Golden Drop.= Dessert. Fruit small, with a crisp and juicy flavour. November to January. A delicious variety.

=Cornish Aromatic.= Dessert. Fruit medium; flavour rich, juicy, and aromatic. October to December.

=Cornish Gillyflower.= Dessert. Fruit medium; flavour very rich, quite aromatic. October, November to January. An excellent variety, thriving best in a warm situation.

=Court of Wick.= Dessert. Fruit medium, very handsome; flavour somewhat similar to Golden Pippin. December to March.

=Court Pendu Plat.= Dessert or kitchen. Fruit medium, rich russet brown, of first-rate quality, and the tree is a good cropper. November to April. See Fig. 124.

=Cox's Orange Pippin.= Dessert. Fruit medium, very handsome; flavour rich aromatic. October to December. One of the best apples grown.

=Cox's Pomona.= Kitchen. Fruit very large, of superior quality. October.

=Devonshire Quarrenden.= Dessert. Fruit medium, excellent quality, and handsome. July to September. A very prolific sort.

=D. T. Fish.= Kitchen. Fruit large, roundish, of a clear straw-colour, with small specks of russet, slightly flushed with crimson on the side where the sun strikes it; flavour sub-acid. November to January. A fine and handsome variety.

=Duchess of Oldenburgh.= Kitchen. Fruit large, red-striped. August to October. A very desirable and handsome Russian variety.

=Duke of Devonshire.= Dessert. Fruit medium; flavour crisp, juicy, rich and sugary. December to March.

=Dumelow's Seedling=, or =Wellington=, or =Normanton Wonder=. Kitchen. Fruit firm, large, and somewhat acid. November to March.

=Early Harvest.= Dessert. Fruit medium; flavour juicy, excellent, with a pleasant sharpness. July to September. According to Mr. Rivers this variety is equally good for cooking or dessert, and is a very fertile tree on the Paradise stock.

=French Crab.= Kitchen. Fruit large, pale green, firm, acid. An excellent sort, and the longest keeper.

=Golden Pippin.= Dessert. Fruit small, very excellent flavour. November to January. A well-known and highly-esteemed sort.

=Golden Reinette.= Dessert. Fruit rather small, yellowish red, streaked with red; flavour excellent, sweet and rich. One of the best and most useful of dessert apples. October to December.

=Gravenstein.= Kitchen. Fruit large, handsome, sweet and crisp. November to January. A very prolific sort.

=Greenup's Pippin.= Kitchen. Fruit very large. February to May. A vigorous grower and abundant bearer.

=Irish Peach.= Dessert. Fruit medium, yellowish-green, very early; flavour juicy, excellent. July and August. A very good variety, often known as Early Crofton.

=Jolly Beggar.= Kitchen. Fruit large, pale yellow, tender and juicy. November to January. A very desirable sort and an extraordinary cropper.

=Keddlestone Pippin.= Dessert. Fruit small, yellow or golden colour, specked with russet; flavour delicious, highly aromatic. December to March. An excellent variety.

=Kerry Pippin.= Dessert. Fruit medium, firm, yellow, and red; flavour sugary and rich. September to October.

=Keswick Codlin.= Kitchen. Fruit large and early. August to October. An admirable sort for market purposes.

=King of the Pippins.= Dessert. Fruit medium, yellow and red; flavour juicy and rich. October to January.

=Lady Henniker.= Kitchen. Fruit yellow, with crimson streaks near the sun, highly flavoured, and with a pleasant perfume. February to May. An excellent sort, suitable for dessert or kitchen.

=Lodgemore Nonpareil.= Dessert. Fruit small; flavour rich, sugary, and aromatic. January to May. An excellent sort.

=Lord Suffield.= Kitchen. Fruit very large, white, soft, excellent for sauce and tarts. August to September.

=Manx's Codlin.= Kitchen. Fruit large. September and October. One of the finest and most useful of kitchen sorts.

=Mère de Ménage.= Kitchen. Large and good. October to March.

=Mr. Gladstone.= Dessert. Fruit large and handsome, very early, scarlet cheek, striped and shaded; of excellent quality. July and August. New.

=New= or =Winter Hawthornden=. Kitchen. Fruit very large, excellent. November to January. An extraordinary bearer, one of the best for sauce and cooking.

=Nonsuch.= Kitchen. Fruit large, juicy. August to October. An admirable sort, unequalled for sauce and cooking.

=Norfolk Beefing.= Kitchen. Large and good flavour, excellent keeper, most useful for baking whole and preserving. November to July.

=Norfolk Greening.= Kitchen. Fruit medium; rather acid. Keeps till April or May.

=Northern Spy.= Dessert. Fruit large, tender; flavour highly aromatic. December to May.

=Old Nonpareil.= Dessert. Fruit medium, tender, and juicy. November to January. A prolific variety.

=Pitmaston Pineapple.= Dessert. Fruit small; flavour very rich. July to September. According to Mr. Rivers this variety is a very abundant bearer on the Paradise stock; it is not a vigorous grower.

=Red Astrachan.= Dessert. Fruit good size, bright; flavour delicate and rich. August to September.

=Red Ingestrie.= Dessert. Fruit very pretty bright red next the sun, on a yellow ground, flesh pale yellow; flavour brisk and sparkling, like the Golden Pippin in quality. August and September. An excellent sort.

=Red Juneating=, or =Margaret=. Dessert. Fruit medium, early, very good quality. July and August. A well-known sort, with numerous synonyms.

=Red Quarrenden.= Dessert. Fruit under medium, bright scarlet; flavour crisp and sweet. August. One of the best summer sorts.

=Reinette du Canada.= Dessert. Fruit greenish-yellow and brown, large; flavour juicy, brisk, sub-acid. November to May. See Fig 125.

=Reinette Grise.= Dessert. Flesh yellowish-white, sugary, pleasant; flavour sub-acid. November to April. It does best on the Paradise stock, and is an abundant cropper. See Fig. 126.

=Ribston Pippin.= Dessert. Fruit greenish-yellow and red, medium; flavour rich, aromatic, excellent. October to December.

=Sam Young.= Dessert. Fruit small, yellowish with russet spots; flavour delicious, tender, and juicy. October to December. An excellent Irish sort.

=Scarlet Crofton.= Dessert. Fruit medium, yellow and red; flavour crisp, juicy, and sweet. October to December.

=Scarlet Nonpareil.= Dessert. Fruit well coloured, large; flavour crisp and juicy. January to March.

=Small's Admirable.= Kitchen. Fruit large, green, crisp, sweet, and juicy. November to January. A prolific cropper.

=Stamford Pippin.= Dessert. Fruit large, with a brisk flavour and an agreeable aroma. November to January. A very desirable sort.

=Sturmer Pippin.= Dessert. Fruit medium; flavour brisk and rich. February to June.

=Syke House Russet.= Dessert. Fruit small; flavour very rich. January to May. An excellent sort.

=Tower of Glammis.= Kitchen. Fruit yellow, very large, square-shaped, crisp, and excellent. February to May. A very excellent sort.

=Van Mons Reinette.= Dessert. Fruit small, with a rich, aromatic, and excellent flavour. November to January.

=Waltham Abbey Seedling.= Kitchen. Fruit large. November and December. An admirable sort.

=Warner's King.= Kitchen. Fruit large, handsome, and good. November to March.

=Worcestershire Pearmain.= Kitchen. Fruit large, conical, of a very brilliant colour; flavour crisp and juicy. August to October. A splendid variety, said to be as prolific as Lord Suffield.

=White Juneating.= Dessert. Fruit small, very early, and good quality, but a bad keeper. July and August. A prolific sort.

=White Nonpareil.= Dessert. Fruit medium, very delicious. March to June. A very desirable sort.

=Winter Quoining=, or =Queening=. Dessert. Fruit very bright, almost red; flavour excellent. November to May. An excellent sort, useful for dessert or culinary purposes.

=Winter Strawberry.= Dessert. Fruit yellow, medium, striped with red; flavour brisk aromatic. November to March. A very useful sort.

=Wormsley Pippin.= Kitchen or dessert. Fruit of an excellent quality, large, pale green; excellent for kitchen or dessert. September to October.

=Yorkshire Greening.= Kitchen. Fruit large, juicy, tender. November to January.

=For Cordons= the following are the best:--BETTY GEESON, COE'S GOLDEN DROP, COX'S ORANGE PIPPIN, DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE, KING OF THE PIPPINS, LODGEMORE NONPAREIL, NORTHERN SPY, REINETTE DU CANADA, RIBSTON PIPPIN, SCARLET NONPAREIL.

=For Pyramidal, Bush, and Espalier Trees=, the best are:-—ADAMS' PEARMAIN, ASHMEAD'S KERNEL, BOSTON RUSSET, CLAYGATE PEARMAIN, CORNISH GILLYFLOWER, COURT OF WICK, COURT PENDU PLAT, COX'S ORANGE PIPPIN, EARLY HARVEST, GOLDEN PIPPIN, GOLDEN REINETTE, IRISH PEACH, KEDDLESTONE PIPPIN, KERRY PIPPIN, RED INGESTRIE, RED QUARRENDEN, REINETTE DU CANADA, RIBSTON PIPPIN, SAM YOUNG, SCARLET CROFTON, SCARLET NONPAREIL, STURMER PIPPIN, SYKE HOUSE RUSSET, WORMSLEY PIPPIN. The following Kitchen sorts are well adapted to this method:-—ALFRISTON, BED-FORDSHIRE FOUNDLING, BRABANT BELLEFLEUR, CALVILLE BLANCHE, CELLINI, COX'S POMONA, D. T. FISH, DUCHESS OF OLDENBURGH, DUMELOW'S SEEDLING, JOLLY BEGGAR, KESWICK CODLIN, LORD SUFFIELD, MANX'S CODLIN, NEW HAWTHORNDEN, NONSUCH, WALTHAM ABBEY SEEDLING, WARNER'S KING.

=For Cold and Exposed Situations=, the following are the best:--BESS POOL, CLAYGATE PEARMAIN, FRENCH CRAB, GREENUP'S PIPPIN, KESWICK CODLIN, NONSUCH, STURMER PIPPIN, TOWER OF GLAMMIS, WINTER STRAWBERRY, WORMSLEY PIPPIN.

=For Cottage Gardens=: ALEXANDER, BEDFORDSHIRE FOUNDLING, BLENHEIM PIPPIN, KING OF THE PIPPINS, MANX'S CODLIN, NEW HAWTHORNDEN, REINETTE DU CANADA, RIBSTON PIPPIN, STURMER PIPPIN, WALTHAM ABBEY SEEDLING, WARNER'S KING, WORMSLEY PIPPIN.

=APPLE BERRY.= _See_ =Billardiera=.