THE APPLE 25 



of phosphorus, whether in apples or fish, is now considered 

 no greater than that of other food elements ; this is an in- 

 teresting statement as proving the earlier, generally ac- 

 cepted wholesomeness of apples and as a reminder that in 

 former days men of marked mental achievement prized 

 and placed first in their fruit afEections and habits of eat- 

 ing, the apple, publicly proclaiming and protesting their 

 admiration for it. And one who nowadays has even oc- 

 casionally felt the stimulation and refreshment of this fruit 

 can well believe that a comparatively steady diet of it 

 might prove conducive to brain activity and general well 

 being. To-day, through improved methods of cultivation 

 and better shipping facilities, we have more kinds of foods 

 fresh, canned, or concocted, so that the world indulges less 

 freely in such simple pleasures of diet as cider and apples 

 and has, by this gain, in a sense undoubtedly lost. Other 

 fruits are also of value but to be less bound by the modern 

 slavery of the "necessity" of luxuries, whether imported 

 and expensive (because less easily obtainable) fruits, or 

 rich foods of other kinds, in winter or summer, would tend 

 to simpler and more powerful directness of thought and 

 strength of brain. 



Poniologically speaking, the apple is the Malus malus, 

 broadly considered, of the great Rose Family, and twin 

 relative of the pear, yet somewhat more positive in char- 

 acter. Its bulk makes it of as much proportionate value 

 as a food as do its juices — preventing necessity of medicine. 

 Malic acid, that great germ destroyer, is the most prominent 

 of its acids, but its salts — its phosphates, are of equal balance 

 in keepingliver, stomach, and intestines in healthful activity. 

 An uncooked apple eaten at night before retiring (a glass 

 of water to follow it) is one of the oldest of beauty and 

 health prescriptions, preventing or relieving constipation, 

 and giving clearness of complexion. The uncooked apple 



