While on a business tour in different parts of Scotland, especially the Border counties north and south of the Tweed, it occurred to me to take note of such varieties of the different species of hardy fruit as I found in good crop, my object being to suggest to those interested in their cultivation the proper sorts to plant, and which are most likely to repay the outlay and trouble of their cultivation - starting with the proposition that any tree that has supported a generous crop of fruit in 1880, taking into consideration the ungenial season which preceded it, is most likely to produce abundantly in ordinary seasons.

In regard to this season's produce of hardy fruits out of doors, we have strong reason to suppose that in England and Scotland the present year has been the most barren on record. This remark applies alike to Apples, Pears, Plums, Apricots, and Peaches, the failure of which can only be attributed to the influence of excessive wet and the absence of solar heat throughout the entire year 1879, succeeded by an unprecedentedly early and intense frost, that proved too much for young growths in their immature state, in many cases killing them back to the old wood. As a natural consequence, such trees produced little blossom of a perfect kind.

In enumerating the varieties of Apples which I have found in good crop, I must first mention Lord Suffield as the most certain cropper, appreciated by all for its cooking qualities. I found it in full crop in all parts of the Lothians, and along the banks of the Tweed from Peebles to Berwick, and also down through Northumberland and Durham. The finest example of a single fruit I met with occurred in the gardens of Mr Gregson, Lowlynn, near Belford. It measured 4 1/2 inches in diameter, stood 5 inches in height, and weighed 1 lb., - a perfect model of its kind. Mr Gregson showed the writer this fruit with much satisfaction - as well he might, when he placed it in the centre of a group of others very little inferior in size and appearance. Warner's King claims second honours in regard to size and quality, for culinary purposes. The most remarkable specimen of this variety I met with at Belford Hall Gardens: it measured 4 3/4 inches in diameter, and was one of upwards of fifty fruits gathered from a standard scarcely 5 feet high : forty of those fruits were 9 inches in circumference. Mr Anderson, the gardener, showed me fifty trees, Apple and Pear, all of uniform proportions, the cultivation of which reflected the highest credit on his care and judgment.

All the Apple - trees were grafted on what is known as the "Paradise stock," which is less vigorous in its habit of growth than the "crab," sending out roots more disposed to spread near the surface of the ground, and therefore more within the influence of sun-heat than if descending deep into the subsoil. The Pears were on the "Quince stock," a lets vigorous grower than the " Pear stock." Those trees are formed into handsomely trained bushes, which, Mr Anderson informed me, have been most productive ever since they were planted.

Many other examples of high culture and fruitfulness I came across, amongst which I must notice instances at Doxford Hall, belonging to Major Browne. The gardens here are in excellent order, well furnished with valuable plants, both outdoor and indoors. The plant-houses, which are numerous, are large and commodious structures, of fine appearance, and most convenient for plant-growth. Mr Bachelor, the head gardener, showed me into the well-furnished fruit-room, where there was a fine display of Apples, conspicuous amongst which was Warner's King : from one small standard he gathered upwards of seventy immense fruits, many of them more than 4 inches in diameter. At the gardens of Lilburn Tower, noted for their excellency and beauty, and also for the quality of the fruit-produce, Apple England's Queen is the favourite as a kitchen sort: in size and other qualities it ranks about equal with the other sorts mentioned. Mr Deas, the gardener, informed me of the heaviest crop being taken from a tree 5 feet high, known as "Stirling Castle." It produced upwards of 200 superior fruits.

The other favourites at Lilburn Tower are Kerry Pippin, a medium-sized first-rate table Apple, which produces well both on a wall or as a standard; Thorle Pippin, which used to be so much esteemed as a dessert Apple in this country, owing to its rich and distinct flavour, and as an abundant and sure bearer as a standard, and worthy a place on a wall; Golden Rennet, much commended as a table Apple; Keswick Codlin, bears well, and is second to none for kitchen use; Ribston Pippin - the examples of which on this occasion surpassed all I have seen, so rich were their golden russet colour, although the crop was rather spare this season. Cockpit is a kitchen variety, much esteemed throughout Northumberland, bearing this year a large crop of fruit. Cellini ranks high also as a bearer in cold districts : I found a heavy crop on a wall in Miss Ballantyne's garden at Walkerburn, near Innerleithen, where scarce an Apple was to be seen on other sorts. Hawthornden is another good Apple for culinary purposes, seldom failing to produce a crop. Graven-stein is a sure bearer, and serviceable both for table and kitchen purposes. Irish Peach, a model table fruit, unsurpassed in quality as an early and sure cropper, ripe in August on standards. Golden Pippin is a certain cropper of the best table fruit.

Manx Codlin stands in the first rank among kitchen Apples for autumn use, This is an immense cropper in the north of England, as also Yorkshire Greening, which is widely known for its long-keeping quality.

Of Pears I have a less number to enumerate. The Hazel showed the greatest profusion on very old standards about Morpeth. It is much prized in this district among market-gardeners, owing to the sureness of its crops : tons of it are sent to Newcastle market by them in autumn. Moorfowl Egg ranks next as a standard amongst this class of growers. Speaking of Peais generally, I have seen few examples of heavy cropping this year, but the following have invariably had moderate crops : Beurre Rance, Beurre Diel, Beurre Hardy, Beurre Superfin, Brown Beurre, Citron des Carmes, Easter Beurre, Glout Morceau, Knight's Monarch, Jargonelle, Louise Bonne of Jersey, Williams's Bon Chretien, and Beurre d'Amanlis. The finest example of the last named I saw at Fulton Hall on a wall-tree, the dimensions of which are 18 feet by 14 feet. The wall has a southern aspect: the produce, forty dozen large fruit, lit for use from November to January. Of Apricots, a fruit so much esteemed, I have still less to say : a fair crop of these this year has been the exception. The trees in general have been more prolific of dead branches than fruit.

Moorpark maintains its character as a bearer, and when it ripens its crop is second to none in quality; but it is sad to see so many splendid trees dismembered of sometimes their main branches, causing large spaces of naked wall. In many instances whole sides of trees have succumbed to the influence of frost.

Amongst other hardy fruits, I have seen none suffer to the same extent as the Peach. It is a rare exception to meet with a tree unhurt. In scores of cases the gardener's labours of many years have been ruthlessly withered up, leaving only a wreck behind; and there is only one remedy, which is to uproot them and plant again.

Plums have not behaved so badly. I have met with a good many moderate, and very many indifferent, crops. Victoria among Plums is what Lord Suffield is among Apples : seldom is it seen without its complement of fruit. It takes rank amongst the kitchen sorts, but a well-ripened fruit is quite fit for dessert. Washington has also borne good crops in some places. It is only in well-sheltered, sunny aspects that crops of Greengages have been gathered. Magnum Bonum has borne but indifferently this season, owing a good deal to the fact that this variety is always placed in the coldest aspect in a garden. This fine dessert Plum has in some gardens borne heavy crops, and it ought to have a place in every garden furnished with a wall. Jefferson's, one of the very best yellow dessert Plums, has not borne very plentifully. It is a first-class Plum, and generally a certain cropper. A. Keek.