" t OF FRUIT TREES. 15 



the utility of giving to our rural labours a thought- 

 ful turn, which is the best substitute now left, after 

 having quitted our primeval state; I say, when we 

 consider these things, it will appear that the sub- 

 ject of fruits, which were the first earthly gift of 

 Providence to man in his more favoured state, may 

 well continue to merit both the publick and indi- 

 vidual attention." 



ORIGINAL STOCK. 



It is the opinion of botanists, " that the wilding, 

 or crab-apple of the woods and hedges, is the origi- 

 nal kind from the seeds of which the apple now 

 cultivated was first obtained. The varieties of 

 this species are multiplied to some hundreds, in 

 different places, all having been first accidentally 

 procured from the seed or kernels of the fruit, and 

 then increased by grafting upon crabs or other 

 kinds of apple stocks." (Dom. Ency.) The crab is 

 still considered as a proper stock to receive the 

 grafts of the more valuable varieties, and is even 

 preferred by some cultivators as being more hardy, 

 better able to endure cold and coarse land; and 

 they also take firmer root, are of more rapid growth, 

 and make larger trees. 



This tree may be found in forests, and other un- 

 cultivated places. Its stems and branches are 

 armed with sharp thorns, and its fruit is small, and 

 so extremely acrid and unpleasant, that it is not 

 edible in its natural state. The following descrip- 

 tion, by Mr. William Bartram, is copied from 

 Mease's edition of the domestick encyclopedia. 

 " The pyrus coronaria, or native crab apple of North 

 Jlmerica, is not eaten, except when preserved in 

 sugar, and in this state, they are deservedly esteem- 

 ed as a great delicacy. The fruit is flattish, above 

 one inch in diameter, yellow when ripe, or of the 

 colour of polished brass, and possesses an agreea- 



