pPant bore, "bege*?^/, ami bijric/, 2 19 



ancient nionntains, from the Apples of the eternal hills, from the 

 fruits of the earth and its fulness." 



The old Saxon chronicles relate that before the battle of 

 Senlac, Kinf^ Harold pitched his camp beside the "hoar Apple- 

 tree " — evidently a well-known objccft, that had doubtless preserved 

 its quondam sacred characfter. Saiut Serf, when on his way to 

 Fife, threw his staff across the sea, from Inch Keith to Culross, 

 and this staff, we are told, straightway took root and became the 

 Apple-tree called Morglas, 



Many ancient rites and ceremonies conne(fi:ed with this mystic 

 tree are still pradlised in certain parts of the country, whilst others 

 have of late become obsolete. In remote districfts, the farmers and 

 l)easantry in Herefordshire, Devonshire, and Cornwall still preserve 

 tlie ancient customs of saluting the Apple-trees on Christmas Eve. 

 In some places, the parishioners walk in procession visiting the 

 }^rincipal orchards in the parish. In each orchard one tree is 

 selected as the representative of the rest; this is saluted with a 

 certain form of words, which have in them the air of an incantation, 

 and then the tree is either sprinkled with cider, or a bowl of cider 

 is dashed against it, to ensure its bearing plentifully the ensuing 

 year. In other places, the farmer and his servants only assemble 

 on the occasion, and after immersing cakes in cider, they hang 

 them on the Apple-trees. They then sprinkle the trees wath cider, 

 and encircling the largest, they chant the following toast three 

 times:— 



. " Here's to thee, old Apple-tree, 

 Whence thou may'st bud, and whence thou may'st blow ; 

 And whence thou may'st bear Apples enow. 

 Hats full ! caps full! 

 Bushel, bushel, sacks full ! 

 And my pockets full, too ! 



Huzza ! Huzza ! " 



After this the men dance round the tree, and retire to the farm- 

 house to conclude, with copious draughts of cider, these solemn 

 rites, which are undoubtedly relics of paganism. 



In Sussex, the custom of " worsling " or wassailing Apple- 

 trees still exists. Formerly it took place, according to the locality, 

 some time between Christmas Eve and Twelfth Day. The most 

 popular wassail rhyme was similar to the above, but others were 

 sung by the " howlers." At Chailey this verse is used: — 



•' Stand fast root, bear well top, 

 Pray that God send us a good howling crop. 

 Every twig, Apples big. 

 Every bough, Apples enow. 

 Hats full, caps full, 

 Full quarters, sacks full.'' 



In West Sussex, during Christmas, the farmers' labourers assemble 

 for the purpose of wassailing the Apple-trees. A trumpeter sounds 



