320 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



What in ordinaiy language is called the fruit is the swollen flower-stalk. So, 

 then, to say that the core of tlie apple is the true fruit, and the flesh thereof 

 the dilated flower-stalk, is no dogma to he accepted as an article of faith, but 

 is a statement which any one with a pair of eyes, ordinarily nimble fingers, and 

 and a little patience, can at the proper season verify for himself. And to be 

 able to recognizee the core of an apple as the fruit proper, and to see in the 

 flesh of an apple a swollen flower stalk, is not to indulge in a mere botanical 

 technicality, as some might at first be inclined to suppose, but it afl"ords a 

 means of ascertaining a truth, and as such of opening up possibilities of future 

 utility and development; for truth is never barren of results — the sterility lies 

 with the man who does not avail himself of the trutli so far as he can — deep 

 thoughts to be devolved from the castaway core of an apple. 



FRUIT AS FOOD. 



A physician contributes to Neltnor's Fruit and Flower Grower, the following 

 ideas : 



It has been ascertained by careful analysis that apples contain a larger 

 amount of phosphorus, or brain food, than any other fruit or vegetable, and as 

 much nutrition for the system as potatoes. The acids they contain are needed 

 to assist the system to rid itself ol effete matter, which if retained, hinders the 

 organs from performing their functions, causes inaction and maaiy diseases. 



The juices of the various berries aid the system to overcome the lassitude 

 caused by warm weather, and should be eaten freely in their season. The 

 importance of fruit as an article of diet does not receive the consideration 

 which it deserves. If parents were to realize their value there would be money 

 saved from doctors' bills, and many less empty cradles and mourning hearts. 



If the mothers in the country were correctly educated in regard to the value 

 of fruit, used as it comes to us, stored with delicious flavors, the result of 

 nature's alchemy, she would not spend time laboring to form with it some 

 health-destroying compound of grease and spices to tempt the appetite, but 

 would go with her children into the orchard or berry field, inhaling the invig- 

 orating air and bathed in the magnetism of the sunshine, there would be no 

 lack of appetite for dinner or supper, at which the golden or rosy-cheeked 

 apples, or delicately-tinted berries are eaten freely, and the rest of neither 

 mother nor child would be disturbed by pain or restlessness, caused by indi- 

 gestion. 



When the lunch for school is prepared, if it consisted only of good, nutri- 

 tious bread and plenty of mellow apples, or luscious grapes, there would be no 

 occasion for complaint from headache and inability to study, for the stomach 

 would not be clogged by indigestible food, and the brain would be in a condi- 

 tion to be trained and strengthened. Owing to its composition, the brain is 

 not liable to be overworked when the digestive organs are in good order, and of 

 those said to be injured by overstudy in the schools, a majority have lived 

 largely upon stimulating food and nick-nacks, to the exclusion of fruit. 



^. ii: Iff '-tfi ^ 'i'. iif ^ ^ ^ its if: if 't'- 



Upon the same point, the Western Farmer makes a practical point : It is 

 said of a doctor who became largely interested in peach growing, that he 

 recommended peaches to his patients on all occasions. The story was told to 



