The choice of variety is also important, for any particular variety behaves differently in different localities. For instance, Cox’s Orange— possibly the most famous English dessert apple—does best in the south and in areas of low rainfall. It is not a good variety for planting in cold or wet districts.
People’s tastes differ, too. The small gardener would do well to take the advice of his County Horticultural Superintendent or his local horticultural society about suitable varieties for local conditions.
Here is a list of a few well-known varieties that can generally be relied on to do well in most districts, though some may not suit every condition throughout the country.
| Dessert apples | Cooking apples |
|---|---|
| James Grieve | *Rev. W. Wilks |
| *Ellison’s Orange | Lord Derby |
| Aldington Pippin | Lane’s Prince Albert |
| Laxton’s Superb | *Crawley Beauty |
The varieties marked with a * are self-fertile, and Crawley Beauty flowers very late, so being specially suited to districts subject to late frosts. If there is room tor only one apple tree choose a self-fertile variety. Where two or more varieties are to be grown, select those that flower about the same time.
Planting operations will be dealt with in a later Guide.
If you would like more information than can be supplied in this Guide about how to increase fruit production in the garden, you would find the Ministry’s bulletin “Fruit from the Garden” very helpful. You can get it for 3d. (4d. post free), either through any bookseller, or direct from H.M. Stationery Office, York House, Kingsway, London,
W.C.2.
Plant Certified Stocks
Good planting stock costs very little more than rubbish and in the long run it will prove less costly. Many of you will have been disappointed with the crops produced by those fruit bushes and plants that you have picked up cheap. You may be lucky now and again, but cheap stocks rarely give satisfaction. They will possibly introduce diseases and pests into your garden, and often they do not prove true to type. The best plan is to plant stocks that are certified true to variety and substantially free from pests and diseases.
Every season the Ministry of Agriculture examines stocks of strawberry plants and blackcurrant bushes, and issues certificates for those stocks that attain the standards laid down.
The supply of certified stocks is limited, but it is worth while saying to your nurseryman, when you order, “Certified Stocks, please!” And you will find that certified stocks please.
