THE COUNTRY HOME [CHAPTER 
Downton and the Pitmaston are as good as can 
be procured. The trees need about the same cul- 
ture and the same soil as the plum. 
But having surrounded ourselves with this great 
Rosaceee family, and become well acquainted with 
its members, and having made a loving alliance 
with them all, we shall agree that the princeliest 
member of the family is the apple. Life would be 
a very different thing if we were to be deprived of 
this noble fruit. It is getting to be one of our chief 
exports, as well as more a part of home dietary. 
One of our ablest medical writers says, “ Life can be 
prolonged more easily by eliminating a large share 
of meats, and using much more freely fruits — but 
above all by a daily use of the apple. Ripe apples 
should be eaten twice a day, and before meals.”’ 
I am going to make for you three lists of apples 
which I can commend. The first list will include 
twenty sorts, for a place of twenty or more acres; 
then a list of twelve for a smaller homestead; and, 
finally, a list of six for a half acre or acre. Begin- 
ning with summer, I should select Red Astrachan, 
Yellow Transparent, Summer Strawberry and Pri- 
mate. Add to these Sweet Bough, provided the 
orchard stands very open; but in close orchards 
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