APPLE BLOSSOM. 



somewhat ostentatious appellation of an herb so small and 

 unassuming as the American Cowslip, but extravagant 

 admirers and botanists, even the great Linnaeus, are not so 

 very particular as to the fitness of names. This plant 

 throws up one single stem, from the midst of a rosette of 

 large leaves, which lie flat on the ground ; on its summit 

 are displayed, in the month of June, twelve inverted pretty 

 light-purple flowers. It is highly ornamental. The stem 

 dies off when the bloom is gone, and the root alone remains 

 until the following season. It thrives best in shady situations 

 and light loamy soils, but is not easily kept. 



APPLE BLOSSOM.— Preference. 



So much care has been bestowed upon the Apple tree 

 to improve its fruit, on account of which it is very highly 

 valued, that, whereas the Romans counted only twenty 

 varieties, several hundreds are now reckoned in England 

 and France. The tree has no beauty of form to make it 

 attractive when grown as a standard ; but in our orchards 

 and fruit gardens, when the blossom is newly expanded, it 

 is most ornamental and pleasing ; and if our imagination 

 passes on to a later season, anticipating the enjoyment of 

 the fruit, the rich russets and other dessert kinds, which 

 beautify our table and gratify our palate, we are much in- 

 clined to give to Apple Blossom the Preference over all 

 other flowers, not excepting even the Rose, since that, when 

 its beauty is fled, leaves us only an agreeable perfume to 

 charm our sense of smell. 



IS 



