THE COUNTRY HOME [chapter 



Downton and the Pitmaston are as good as can 

 be procured. The trees need about the same cul- 

 ture and the same soil as the plum. 



But having surrounded ourselves with this great 

 Rosacese family, and become well acquainted with 

 its members, and having made a loving alliance 

 with them all, we shall agree that the princeliest 

 member of the family is the apple. Life would be 

 a very different thing if we were to be deprived of 

 this noble fruit. It is getting to be one of our chief 

 exports, as well as more a part of home dietary. 

 One of our ablest medical writers says, " Life can be 

 prolonged more easily by eliminating a large share 

 of meats, and using much more freely fruits — but 

 above all by a daily use of the apple. Ripe apples 

 should be eaten twice a day, and before meals." 



I am going to make for you three lists of apples 

 which I can commend. The first list will include 

 twenty sorts, for a place of twenty or more acres; 

 then a list of twelve for a smaller homestead; and, 

 finally, a list of six for a half acre or acre. Begin- 

 ning with summer, I should select Red Astrachan, 

 Yellow Transparent, Summer Strawberry and Pri- 

 mate. Add to these Sweet Bough, provided the 

 orchard stands very open; but in close orchards 



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