May Frosts The apple blossom is a glory to behold
; but whether this is a prelude to a glory of fruit will depend chiefly on the weather throughout the first fortnight of May. Many fruit-growers hold that if the bloom is not out by May r4th, the festival of the last of the Three Ice-men, all should be well. Since the crucial period is so very short, it ought not to be beyond the reach of science to devise a protection. One of the newer theories is that a draught gives good protection. It is, proved beyond a peradventure that the most vulnerable orchard trees are those in dry valleys or even between high malls if there is little " air drainage." Those who live in naturally vulnerable places can counter the frosts in some measure by growing the less susceptible species of apple. There are a few very late sorts which are generally immune. Chief and best of these is undoubtedly Court Pendi Plat. It was strongly urged recently in a specialist's article, and a correspondent almost simultaneously sent me a iist of its virtues. It is the latest- to blossom—hence a local game, the wise apple—and probably one of the oldest. Some say—is that possible?— that it dates from Roman times. It is a delicious eating apple, and will keep in good condition even till May. Among early apples, one of the best, James -Grieve, stand some degrees of frost. On. the other hand, that otherwise most lusty, as it is the most popular, of commercial cooking apples, Bramley's Seedling, is particularly sensitive. It is a good general rule to choose your apples according to your site. The County Farm can generally supply the requisite information.
Previous page
