286 A^^le Blossoms. 



ceedings of the Alton Horticultural Society, about a year ago, by our 

 correspondent Mr. Flagg. From an examination of the flowers of 

 nearly a hundred varieties, he arrived at the conclusions (besides the 

 points noted above) that varieties v^^ith w^hite blossoms are generally 

 early, and those with red blossoms late ; and that the color of the blos- 

 soms, in the majority of cases, indicates the color of the apple — white 

 apples having white blossoms, and red apples having red blossoms. 

 The last rule, however (if, indeed, it can be called a rule), he remarks, 

 has many exceptions ; and we recollect one very striking one, where 

 the Dutch Codlin, before remarked on for the deep color of its blos- 

 soms, was grafted into the same tree with the Red Astrachan, which 

 has a white blossom. The fruit of the latter is well known to be of 

 the deepest red, while the deeply colored flowers of the former produce 

 a pale yellow apple, with a dull brownish-red cheek. 



Further and more careful study of this subject is needed ; and we 

 hope that the many readers of the Join-nal whom this reaches before 

 they are out of bloom will find time to give it, not only to the apple, 

 but to other fruits, noting carefully all the particulars of the size, 

 shape, color, time, etc., of inflorescence of the different varieties. We 

 cannot doubt that such observations would afford much interesting and 

 valuable information, and important aid in the classification of fruits. 

 It would certainly be worth the while of any one of them, if it were 

 only to be better acquainted with the loveliness of these common and 

 familiar objects. 



" What plant we in this apple tree.? 

 Sweets for a hundred flowery springs, 

 To load the Maj wind's restless wings, 

 When from the orchard rows he pours 

 Its fragrance through our open doors; 



A world of blossoms for the bee, 

 Flowers for the sick girl's silent room, 

 For the glad infant sprigs of bloom, 



We plant with the apple tree." 



