ORIGIN OF THE APPLE TREE. 19 



as insensible perspiration, and the discharges by stool, both of 

 which are thus unnaturally promoted. 



All fruit given to children should be given perfectly ripe. 

 Mothers and nurses should likewise bestoAv especial attention 

 to the cleanliness of the peels, which as they generally pas3 

 through different hands, or ma}' have been stored in improper 

 places, require to be previously wiped or washed. 



With regard to their sensible properties, apples have been 

 divided into spicy, acidulated and watery. To the first class 

 belong the various species of rennet, which possesses a most 

 delicate flavor, contain the least proportion of water, and on 

 account of their vinous nature, are not apt to excite flatu- 

 lency. Pippins, on the contrary, though aff"ording more nu- 

 triment than the former, are more fibrous, and consequently 

 require a more vigorous stomach to digest them ; hence they 

 may be ranked under the second class. Lastly, those sweet 

 and tender apples which are very juicy and palatable are the 

 least fit to be eaten in a raw state, unless with the addition of 

 bread or biscuit. When baked or dried in the open air, they 

 make an excellent substitute for raisins or plums, in puddings, 

 pies and other dishes prepared of flour. 



Sour apples may be much improved both in taste and 

 quality, by either baking, or digesting them in a close vessel 

 by steam over a slow fire ; thus the saccharine principle is dis- 

 engaged, and they undergo a speedy and complete change. 



While very young, no tree should be suffered to bear a full 

 crop of fruit ; and if they abound with blossoms, the fruit 

 should be gathered as soon as formed ; leaving only half a 

 dozen of the produce, to ascertain the size and quality. By 

 this measuie, the trees will not only produce larger and finer 

 fruit, but by being kept clear, the leading and collaterat 

 branches will every year become more vigorous. Nor owght 

 any young plant or newly engrafted tree to be permitted to run 

 mop-headed, as it will make no progress till each branch has 

 acquired a determined leader, for, if the growth of a tree 

 be prevented, it will be extremely difficult to throw such 

 energy into the system, as to enable it to grow freely. 



All vegetables in respect to their propagation are vivipanis or 



