56 



as I know it to be a part of their study 

 to induce the planters of orchards to cul- 

 tivate and propagate the best kinds of 

 apples only, I trust that by their attention 

 we shall soon have our markets supplied with 

 a superior kind of apples to what is now ge- 

 nerally offered for sale, as the same land that 

 will produce an ill-flavoured apple will afford 

 a good one ; and it is as easy to raise the 

 best kinds of apple-trees as those of inferior 

 value. 



The Siberian Crab Apple was not culti- 

 vated in this country until 1758, and the 

 small fruited variety was first introduced in 

 1 784. The flavour of this latter kind is highly 

 esteemed in tarts and puddings, and the tree 

 is often planted as an ornament in our shrub- 

 beries. 



In pruning apple-trees, nothing more 

 should be done than to cut out all those 

 branches which cross each other, to pre- 

 vent the rubbing of the bark; but never 

 to shorten any of their shoots, except 

 those shoots or suckers which proceed from 

 the stem, which should be entirely taken 

 off, as also all branches broken by the wind 

 or accident, which should be cut off close 

 to the division of the branch. November 

 is the best time to prune apple-trees, as it 



