In the Garden
One of the early apples that has ripened betimes this year—and flourished particularly—is James Grieve, perhaps the very best apple of its date ; and it is not only blessed in itself : it is an excellent companion to the shy-bcaring Cox. Beauty of Bath is earlier, of course, and is a better looker, but it is best left to those who sell apples rather than those who eat their own. To my thinking, the early apple with the most character is the distinctly unpopular Irish Peach. If there were a vote for the best eating apples, I would put St. Evcrard and Blenheim in the first four ; but Blcnheims have lost popularity, chiefly perhaps owing to tha fact that they take longer than most sorts to come Into bearing ; and the world is in a hurry. In a good many orchards an excellent crop of apples is associated with an unusual amount of browned leaves. This malady is often due to a lack of potash in the soil ; and such trees should be marked for the reception of a good dose of some artificial manure, rich in potash, during the month of February.
W. Batas THOMAS.
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