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and indeed with almost all the old Herefordshire Apples. It is the 

 general opinion, that Mistletoe is much less common in the 

 orchards of the French, Norman, and Italian fruits lately so 

 much planted : even here though, the viscum seems to make a 

 selection, and will attack young trees of the "upright N"orman- 

 dy,"and "Italian Apple." — It may be perhaps, that, as most of 

 the old sorts of apples named, are rapidly dying out (and the two 

 last, though recently introduced, may belong to the same category) 

 this parasite, following the example of parasites in general, as 

 well animal as vegetable, takes advantage of weakness, and thrives 

 best, where it finds the least power of resistance. This view 

 moreover, is supported by the general observation of its greater 

 frequency on old and cankered trees, or on those growing badly 

 from want of drainage, or from some other cause. It is not by 

 any means the case, however, that all weak and decaying trees 

 are attacked in orchards with plenty of Mistletoe in them ; so 

 that from the trees it will attack when young and strong on one 

 side, and those that resist it when weak and old, on the other, 

 there seems a promising field for careful observation. Whoever 

 may enter it, to find the secret of the reqiurements for Mistletoe 

 life, or Mistletoe predilections, will have in the first place, to 

 master the confusion that prevails amongst the Apple trees them- 

 selves, and the ignorance of their owners, as to their right names 

 and virtues, and sorts, and kinds, always excepting, however, 

 the knowledge of the quality of the cider they will make. * 



* In many a Herefordshire Orchard, may be seen an old cankered 

 tree or two, past bearing fruit, or nearly so ; with most of its main branches 

 dead, and what little remains of the tree, overpowered with Mistletoe. A 

 stranger passing by might take such trees as the groundwork for some slash- 

 ing remarks on the slovenliness of Herefordshire farmers in general. If his 

 good fortune should afterwards bring him within reach of the hospitality of 

 the house, he will very probably, as he walks round the homestead after 

 luncheon, be shown these very dilapidated remains of trees, as the "pets" of 

 the orchard. "That cider you thought so strong and good, grew on these 

 trees 15 years ago"; or they are some old favourite kind that grew the 

 strongest cider in days gone by ; or made some wonderful quantity in some 

 particular year : or they were "my Father's favourite trees, and will bide 

 my time, I hope." Anyway,' he will discover, that Herefordshire Farmers 

 can have amiable reasons for preserving old worn-out apple trees, and will 

 be more cautious in criticism for the future. 



