444 The Canadian Hobticulturist. 



SPECKED APPLES. 



LD Father Grump, with thrifty care, 

 Had safely stored away 

 * For winter use his apple crop — 

 Enough to last till May. 



" We'll not begin," said Father Grump, 

 " To eat 'em yet awhile ; 

 They've got to last the winter through — 

 " There's none too big a pile ! " 



And so they lay, 'neath lock and key, 



Till the ripest showed decay, 

 " Begin on 'em," then the farmer said, 

 " Begin on 'em right away ! 



" We'll kinder sort 'em out," said he, 

 " And use for sass the wust, 

 And every one who goes for 'em 

 Must take the specked ones fust." 



And so they used the specked ones first, 



As Farmer Grumps had said, 

 But though they ate some every day 



The specked ones kept ahead. 



And they not only ate them first, 



But all the winter through 

 If that's their way, I've naught to say, 



And naught, I'm sure have you. 



Now Farmer Hearty always had 



A well-filled apple bin, 

 But, as he stored them in he said, 

 " Now listen, we'll begin 



' To eat the best of 'em right off, 



And keep on so each day. 

 For some of 'em will not keep long, 

 Though some will last till May. 



And so his household one and all, 



Enjoyed the fruit while sound ; 

 And eating still the ripest first, 



Had some when May came round. 



— Arthur's Magazine. 



