HOW TO GROW GOOD ORCHARDS. 



CHAPTER XLVIL 



ON THE APPLE AND PEAR AS ORCHARD FRUITS. 



In discussing the subject of fruit in relation to the 

 farm, we shall find that the number of species is 

 exceedingly limited, being, indeed, confined to two : 

 the apple and the pear. This paucity of species, 

 however, is amply compensated for in an extended and 

 constantly extending list of sorts, or varieties, which, 

 in both species, amount to several hundreds. 



The apple, which we shall first describe, is admitted 

 on all hands to be derived from the wild crab-apple 

 (Pi/rus mains), which is considered to be a native 

 tree, to which position its general appearance in 

 woods and hedges all over the island would seem to 

 give it no small claim. 



The fruit of the crab is exceedingly austere, and 

 hence sour-tempered people are said to be " crabbed." 

 The expressed juice makes a strong vinegar, called 

 "Verjuice" — in the vulgar, "Varjes" — and hence 

 Akerman, in his M Wiltshire Tales," has given a cross- 

 grained woman the name of " Mistress Varjes." 

 Verjuice is a very popular remedy for sprains and 

 bruises, and hence on most farms having trees of 

 2 c 



