262 SKETCHES OF RURAL AFFAIRS. 



because the cottager's wife, with her clean cap and 

 smiling face, and her baby in her arms, was sure to 

 come to the door to greet you with a curtsey and a 

 word of welcome. 



There can be little doubt but that in such villages 

 as we are describing, where the master takes an interest 

 in his people, and allows them a little ground on advan- 

 tageous terms, and where the clergyman exerts his 

 powerful influence in promoting the domestic comforts 

 as well as the spiritual welfare of his flock, numbers 

 of labourers might add considerably to their humble 

 wages, and at the same time greatly increase their own 

 respectability and happiness by the good management 

 of garden ground. 



It is a happy cimimstance that the most profitable 

 and wholesome fruits are very easy of cultivation, and 

 will thrive in almost any situation. Apples, pears, and 

 cherries belong especially to temperate climates, so that 

 it has been said, wherever an oak will grow, there these 

 fruits may also be found. In many parts of Germany 

 the apple is a common road-side tree, planted for a mile 

 or two in the outskirts of towns, and left with its tempt- 

 ing load of fruit without the least protection. Out of 

 the numerous passengers along the road not one is seen 

 to step aside to pluck the fruit ; and children playing 

 beneath the trees do not seem to have the slightest 

 inclination to theft. Such is the influence of habit and 

 of a strict enforcement of the laws. Many of these 

 way-side trees are extremely productive, although their 

 foliage is obscured with dust, and they have frequently 

 a stunted appearance. Some years ago the writer saw 

 a large apple-tree, in the neighbourhood of Frankfort, 

 so heavily laden with fruit, that fifteen props were 

 necessary to support the branches. 



Apple-trees require a deep and tolerably rich soil, 

 and are all the better if placed on ground which 

 slopes to the south. A very low situation for the 

 orchard is bad ; because the blossom is more liable 



