16 AMERICAN POMOLOGY. 



Were I asked to describe the location of the fabled 

 fountain of Hygeia, I should decide that it was certainly 

 situated in an orchard ; it must have come bubbling from 

 earth that sustained the roots of tree and vine ; it must 

 have been shaded by the umbrageous branches of the 

 wide-spreading apple and pear, and it was doubtless ap- 

 proached by alleys that were lined by peach trees laden 

 with their downy fruit, and over-arched by vines bearing 

 rich clusters of the luscious grape, and they were gar- 

 nished at their sides by the crimson strawberry. Such at 

 least would have been an appropriate setting for so valued 

 a jewel as the fountain of health, and it is certain that the 

 pursuit of fruit-growing is itself conducive to the posses- 

 sion of that priceless blessing. The physical as well as 

 the moral qualities of our nature are wonderfully pro- 

 moted by these cares. The vigorous exercise they afford 

 us in the open air, the pleasant excitement, the expecta- 

 tion of the results of the first fruits of our plants, tend- 

 ing, training and cultivating them the while, are all so 

 many elements conducive to the highest enjoyment of 

 full health. 



The very character of the food furnished by our or- 

 chards should be taken into the account, in making up our 

 estimate of their contributions to the health of a commu- 

 nity. From them we procure aliment of the most refined 

 character, and it has been urged that the elements of 

 which they are composed are perfected or refined to 

 the highest degree of organization that is possible to occur 

 in vegetable tissues. Such pabulum is not only gratefully 

 refreshing, but it is satisfying without being gross, it is 

 nutritious. The antiscorbutic effects of ripe fruits, espe- 



