321 PYRUS MALUS. 



which may serve as some sort of guide to those who may wish to purchase apples 

 lor the purpose of making cider. It has also been stated that tlie quantity of 

 apples recpured to make a liogshead of cider, in England, is from twenty-four to 

 thirty bushels ; and from eight to twelve bushels to make a barrel of that liquor, 

 in the United States. As tiie strength of cider always depends upon the weight 

 of tlie juice, there is no surer way of determining its value than by its specific 

 gravity. The specific gravity of the juice of the best quality of apples should 

 vary from 1080 to 1095. 



Medicinally, apples are considered particularly cooling, and excellent in all 

 inflammatory disorders; and apple- water is a most refreshing drink in fevers. 

 Dr. Short, in speaking of the properties of cider, says, " Long observation assures 

 us, that such as chiefly drink cider, are more healthy and strong, and have better 

 complexions than those that are accustomed to wine and ale." Both Lord Bacon 

 and Dr. Baynard tell us of several persons nearly a hundred years of age, and 

 some more, who seldom drank any other liquor, and were very active and vigor- 

 ous at that age. 



The apple-tree, as an object in landscape scenery, cannot be recommended as 

 harmonizing well with other forms ; but, as it has a character of its own, and as 

 it afl^brds an agreeable variety to the husbandman's hopes and pursuits, and no 

 inconsiderable addition to his domestic comforts and enjoyments, it deserves a 

 place in every garden and in every hedge-row. In the latter, it is more espe- 

 cially desirable, as it does very little injury to the surrounding crops by its shade; 

 and, on the authority of Mr. Loudon, it may be added, that, in nurseries and 

 market-gardens, particularly in the former, it gives protection to the young trees. 

 And indeed, in viewing a '-heaven-showered" orchard, whether covered in 

 spring with a profusion of blossoms, or laden in autumn with fruit of rich and 

 varied flavour, more beautiful than the grape, and yielding a juice scarcely less 

 agreeable to the palate, our admiration is excited with the prodigal bounty and 

 beauty of nature. 



