10 INTRODUCTION. 



domestic animals, from the noble carriage-horse down to 

 the cackling poultry, will devour apples especially sweet 

 ones with great avidity. And such food, in connection 

 with other articles, will always be found profitable. 



"For dumplings, pies, or even apple-stew, 

 What could our cooks or our good housewives do, 

 If by perchance the apple should step out? 

 Sore grief would seize on many bosoms stout." 



An eminent French physician says the decrease of dys- 

 pepsia and bilious affections in Paris is owing to the in- 

 creased consumption of apples, which fruit, he maintains, 

 is an admirable prophylactic and tonic, as well as very 

 nourishing, and easily digested. 



The proper contemplation of the production of a large 

 apple-tree, from a tiny seed, with branches bending beneath 

 a bountiful crop of luscious fruit, is a source of sublime 

 and interesting thought to every reflecting mind. The 

 swelling of the germ in the seed-bed, the bursting of the 

 envelope of the kernel, the starting of the thread-like roots, 

 and the formation of a stem, constitute germination of the 

 seed; and the more complete growth and development of 

 the radicles, stem, branches, leaves, and flowers embrace the 

 idea of vegetation. The unfolding of the fruit- buds, the 

 development of the flowers, and the perfection of the fruit, 

 constitute fructification. 



All these operations, when taken collectively and studied, 

 so that the different processes of growth and development 

 shall be appreciated, will give the intelligent pomologist 

 such an insight into fruit-growing as will tend to supply 

 our markets, and the tables of both rich and poor, with an 

 abundance of the cheapest luxuries of mortal life. The 

 production of a fruitful apple orchard, from the time it is 

 set until it comes into bearing, is necessarily a question of 

 time to say the least, requiring from five to eight years, 



