ORCHARD PROSPECTS. 83 



Merchants." From their hands it passes on, if it will bear the 

 saccharometer test, to other manipulators, and, eventually, it is 

 believed to reappear as Hock, Champagne, Sherry, or Port, as 

 may be required in commerce at the time. 



The establishment of Cider and Perry Factories, would prove 

 of the greatest advantage in the Orchard districts. A ready 

 home market for the best kinds of fruit, would lead to the gradual 

 extinction of the inferior varieties, and the manufacture of Cider 

 and Perry of superior quality, would soon cause these wholesome 

 beverages to be properly appreciated, and the outer world 

 to value their high character. Under present circumstances, 

 when a great "hit" of fruit occurs, the Apples and Pears are 

 scarcely saleable at any price, the home barrels are all filled, and 

 the waste is enormous. It sometimes happens at these times, that 

 a barrel of Cider is placed in the yard ready tapped, with a mug at 

 hand, that all comers to the house may help themselves. Such 

 prodigal hospitality is by no means desirable, and if the demand 

 for good Cider was as great as it might be made, its value would 

 soon put a stop to such wasteful use. 



It is precisely in these good seasons, when fruit is so abundant 

 and well ripened, that the best liquor can be made. It would be 

 the golden opportunity for a Factory, supported by capital. Very 

 large quantities of Cider and Perry could be made, and laid by in 

 cask and in bottle, to meet the failure of succeeding years. With 

 good management, a company formed for the manufacture of 

 Cider and Perry, could scarcely fail to give a very handsome return 

 to the proprietors, and at the same time, it would greatly increase 

 the value of the Orchards. 



VII.— ORCHARD PROSPECTS. 



English agriculturists have now to meet the competition of 

 the world, and it is desirable on every account, that they should 

 enlarge their sphere of action. Instead of confining themselves so 

 much to Corn and Cattle, as they have hitherto done, they should 



