THE APPLE-ROOM. 7 



in what brandy there is room for. In case of cut 

 or bruise no remedy, I am told, is more efficacious, 

 and certainly none more simple. 



December 23. The weather is still mild and 

 open. We have had three days' sharp frost, but 

 it soon passed, and, while it lasted, it spared even 

 the Chrysanthemums. "Bob" looks better than 

 ever. During the frost was the time to look over 

 the Apple-room, the Mushroom-bed, and the Log- 

 house. 



The Pears we are now using are the Winter 

 Nelis, which I believe is known also as the Bonne 

 de Malines. It is a capital Pear at this season 

 of the year, and in these parts, and trained on my 

 south-west walls, bears well, though the trees are 

 young. I only planted them some four years ago, 

 and, as all the world knows, 



" You plant Pears 

 For your heirs." 



The Mushrooms are late this year; the spawn 

 appeared less good than usual, and I expected a 

 total failure, but, after all, there is promise of a dish 

 for Christmas Day. I do not care to grow Mush- 

 rooms when the green vegetables are in full glory 

 but now they are very welcome. 



