2M ENGLISH BOTANY. 



spring frosts and dry winds. The Devonshire cider differs from that of Worcestershire 

 and Herefordshire in being sweeter, weaker, and not so likely to keep good. 



The Apple-tree sometimes attains a considerable age ; several now exist in this 

 country which must be above two centuries old ; and one is still standing at Horton, 

 in Buckinghamshire, which is said to have been a large tree in the time of ]\Iilton, who, 

 in his boyhood, sat under its shade. Gerarde tells us that the use of Apples in an 

 ointment made of " swine's grease and rose-water, for the purpose of beautifying the 

 face and take away roughnesse of the skin, gave rise to the name pomatum, because ox 

 the a])ples whereof it is made." 



The Apple-tree flourishes best on hill-sides with a southern aspect, and prefers a 

 rich deep soil ; but it will grow in almost any situation but in bog or loose sand. Stag- 

 nant water is very injurious to it, and an orchard should always be well drained. Since 

 the latter end of the last century the Apple-trees have been injured by the attacks of 

 an aphis, which often covers the branches with a cotton-like exudation, and occasions 

 a diseased growth, which is often destructive to the tree. In order to get rid of these 

 troublesome creatures, there is no way but cleaning them off with a brush and water or 

 lime-water, and even to amputate the branches when they have been some time at work. 

 Other remedies are suggested and employed by gardeners, but they require care and 

 skill in the application, lest the structure of the tree be injured. We find a mixture of 

 sulphuric acid and water recommended with which to wash the tree, also a mixture of 

 vegetable tar and corrosive sublimate to be smeared on the trees, and train-oil is by some 

 thought to be a good application. Much of the success, however, attendant on the use 

 of any composition depends on its being carefully and thoroughly applied. We rather 

 think frequent and careful applications of a stiff brush and simple water is as effectual 

 as any other remedy. In order to store Apjtles well in a fruit -room, it must be remem- 

 bered that there must be plenty of ventilation, and, if possible, a fireplace ; and the 

 fruit should be laid apart on shelves one above the other, made of open or lattice-work, 

 if the fruit is desired to keep well and for some time. 



The Apple-tree seems to be associated with our very earliest notions of a garden 

 and the fall of man, and is not only thus interwoven with our earliest religions im- 

 pressions, but it is also the tree which is distinguished by legends in the mythology 

 of the Greeks, Scandinavians, and Druids. The golden fruit of the Hesperides was an 

 apple ; and it was the api)le of discord which caused so much calamity to the fair 

 goildesses iimongst whom it was thrown. The Druids paid particular reverence to the 

 Apple-tree, because the mistletoe was supposed to grow only on it and tlie oak. Hercules 

 was worshipped by the Thebans under the name of Melius, and apples were offered at 

 bis altars. Even in recent times, the custom of christening or saluting Apple-trees 

 exists in some parts of the country on Christmas-eve. The farmer and his men proceed 

 to the orchard, bearing a bowl of cider with a toast in it ; they pour the cider about the 

 roots of the trees, and place the toast on its branches. Having offered their oblation, 

 they sing somewhat in the following words : — 



" Here's to thee, old Apple-tree 

 Whence thou mayst bud and whence thou raayst blow ; 

 And whence ihou ma^'st bear apples enow. 

 Hats full! caps lull! 

 Bushel, bushel, sacks full ! 

 And my pockets full too ! 



Huzza ! ! " 



