214 Old Time Gardens 



ate it clear as a relish with meats ; and it was suited 

 to appetites and digestions which had been formed 

 by a diet of salted meats, fried breads, many pickles, 

 and the drinking of hot cider sprinkled with pepper. 

 Emerson well named the Apple the social fruit 

 of New England. It ever has been and is still the 

 grateful promoter and unfailing aid to informal 

 social intercourse in the country-side ; but the 

 Apple tree is something far nobler even than being 

 the sign of cheerful and cordial acquaintance ; it is 

 the beautiful rural emblem of industrious and tem- 

 perate home life. Hence, let us wassail with a 

 will: 



" Here's to thee, old Apple tree ! 



Whence thou mayst bud, and whence thou mayst blow, 

 And whence thou mayst bear Apples enow !" 



