324 PYRUS MALUS. 
which may serve as some sort of guide to those who may wish to purchase apples 
for the purpose of making cider. It has also been stated that the quantity of 
apples required to make a hogshead of cider, in England, is from twenty-four to 
thirty bushels ; and from eight to twelve bushels to make a barrel of that liquor, 
in the United States. As the strength of cider always depends upon the weight 
of the juice, there is no surer way of determining its value than by its specific 
gravity. The specific gravity of the juice of the best quality of apples should 
vary from 1-080 to 1-095. 
Medicinally, apples are considered particularly cooling, and excellent in all 
inflammatory disorders ; and apple- water is a most refreshing drink in fevers. 
Dr. Short, in speaking of the properties of cider, says, " Long observation assures 
us, that such as chiefly drink cider, are more healthy and strong, and have better 
complexions than those that are accustomed to wine and ale." Both Lord Bacon 
and Dr. Baynard tell us of several persons nearly a hundred years of age, and 
some more, who seldom drank any other liquor, and were very active and vigor- 
ous at that age. 
The apple-tree, as an object in landscape scenery, cannot be recommended as 
harmonizing well with other forms ; but, as it has a character of its own, and as 
it affords an agreeable variety to the husbandman's hopes and pursuits, and no 
inconsiderable addition to his domestic comforts and enjoyments, it deserves a 
place in every garden and in every hedge-row. In the latter, it is more espe- 
cially desirable, as it does very little injury to the surrounding crops by its shade ; 
and, on the authority of Mr. Loudon, it may be added, that, in nurseries and 
market-gardens, particularly in the former, it gives protection to the young trees. 
And indeed, in viewing a "heaven-showered" orchard, whether covered in 
spring with a profusion of blossoms, or laden in autumn with fruit of rich and 
varied flavour, more beautiful than the grape, and yielding a juice scarcely less 
agreeable to the palate, our admiration is excited with the prodigal bounty and 
beauty of nature. 
