I20 CIDER APPLES. 



by, that large beds of gravel and marl are to be met with in all 

 directions, and the orchards of repute therefore are only to be found 

 on the rising slopes of the valley, out of the river's reach. There 

 are many excellent orchards from King's Caple and Holme Lacy 

 by Credenhill to Kinnersley, Sarnesfield, Dilwyn, and the Weobley 

 district ; the Foxtahelp may be found in any of them, and wherever 

 it is found, it is treasured greatly for its valuable fruit. 



The Foxtt'help Apple tree is upright and handsome in growth, 

 where age has not rendered it rugged and gnarled. It is a slow 

 growing tree, and a shy, capricious bearer, and this may perhaps 

 partly explain, why fruit growers should prefer lo propagate those 

 sorts which grow more freely, and are more certain croppers. The 

 tree is hardy, and its fruit is in great demand. There is yet a want 

 of young trees generally, for, be the reason what it may, grafts of 

 late years have not succeeded well. The orchardists however have 

 only to apply themselves to the cultivation of the Foxwhelp, and 

 resolutely determine to perpetuate this precious variety, and the 

 same success will crown their efitbrts in the future, which followed 

 those of their predecessors in the past. 



The Foxwhelp cider, when pure, is of great strength, and 

 always has a peculiar aroma, so marked that it can be detected 

 directly the cork is drawn from the bottle. In taste, it is generally 

 rough and strong, with a peculiar vinous, musky flavour, which gives 

 its aroma. In ordinary seasons, unless made with great care, it is 

 not sweet enough to be acceptable to strangers, and the taste which 

 enjoys its peculiar flavour fully, must in such circumstances, perhaps, 

 be acquired ; but in a favourable year — a year of sunshine and 

 genial showers, when the fruit has been ripened to perfection — 

 happy is he who has a good hit of it. If he carries it well through 

 the process of fermentation, and keeps the flavour of the fruit, and 

 its sweetness too, he has cider in perfection — a cider that will sell 

 readily in its own district, at a guinea a dozen ; and a cider more- 

 over, that will unquestionably improve in quality, for some three or 

 four decades of years. It will not all be sold, however, for it is the 

 pleasure and pride of the cider-growers of Herefordshire to have 

 always ready for a friend, a bottle of good Foxwhelp cider of a good 

 year. 



