of the root). ORD. _Leguminosæ_. An elegant little hardy twining
perennial, easily trained into almost any shape. It must have a
well-exposed, sunny position, and the soil should be of a warm or light
sandy nature. Propagated by division of the tubers.
[Illustration: FIG. 117. APIOS TUBEROSA, showing Habit and Flower.]
=A. tuberosa= (tuberous).* Ground Nut. _fl._ brownish-purple,
sweet-scented, in axillary racemes. Summer and early autumn. _l._
pinnate. Tubers edible, farinaceous. Habit very light and graceful.
Pennsylvania, 1640. SYN. _Glycine Apios_. See Fig. 117.
=APIOSPERMUM.= A synonym of =Pistia= (which _see_).
=APIUM= (from _apon_, Celtic for water; in reference to the habitat).
ORD. _Umbelliferæ_. This genus contains no species worth growing for
ornament, and nearly all are more or less acrid and poisonous. A.
_graveolens_ is the Celery of gardens, for culture of which, _see_
=Celery=.
=APLECTRUM= (from _a_, without, and _plectron_, a spur; flower
spurless). ORD. _Orchideæ_. A monotypic genus from North America. A
curious, hardy, terrestrial orchid, requiring a shady spot in light
loam and leaf mould, moderately damp. Very difficult to cultivate.
=A. hyemale= (wintry).* _fl._ greenish-brown, large, racemose,
borne on a naked scape after the leaves have died down; labellum as
long as the sepals; column sessile, rather long, wingless. April.
Stem pseudo-bulbous, with one large, broad, ribbed leaf. _h._ 1ft.
1827.
=APLOTAXIS.= Included under =Saussurea= (which _see_).
=APOCARPOUS.= Having the carpels or fruit separate, or disunited.
=APOCYNACEÆ.= A large order of trees, shrubs, or rarely herbs, usually
with a poisonous, milky sap. Flowers regular, solitary or corymbose;
corolla salver-shaped or campanulate. Leaves simple, opposite,
sometimes alternate or whorled. Well known genera belonging to this
order are: _Allamanda_, _Nerium_, _Tabernæmontana_ and _Vinca_.
=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.
[Illustration: FIG. 118. INFLORESCENCE OF APOCYNUM ANDROSÆMIFOLIUM.]
=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.
[Illustration: FIG. 119. APONOGETON DISTACHYON, showing Habit and
Flower-spikes.]
=A. angustifolium= (narrow-leaved). _fl._ white. July. Cape of Good
Hope, 1788. Half hardy.
[Illustration: FIG. 120. APONOGETON DISTACHYON, showing Flower-spikes,
Leaf, and Root.]
=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.
[Illustration: FIG. 121. APPLE BLOSSOM.]
=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.
[Illustration: FIG. 122. FRUITING BRANCH OF APPLE.]
_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.
[Illustration: FIG. 123. APPLE, CALVILLE BLANCHE.]
=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.
[Illustration: FIG. 124. APPLE, COURT PENDU PLAT.]
=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.
[Illustration: FIG. 125. APPLE, REINETTE DU CANADA.]
=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.
[Illustration: FIG. 126. APPLE, REINETTE GRISE.]
=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.