372 THE MOUNTAIN ASH. 
the cultivated sorts are engrafted ; and supplies of seeds are 
readily obtained from the cider manufactories throughout 
England. 
In every respect the mode of treatment detailed for the 
raising of the pear is adapted to the apple. The seeds of the 
numerous kinds of cultivated apples yield a great variety of 
the plant, and generally, for timber trees, they are fully as 
vigorous in growth, and attain to greater dimensions than 
the common crab apple; but at best, in point of size they 
are inferior to the pear tree. The apple is quite hardy, and 
endures a cold and bleak exposure, although it only attains 
to a timber size in good soil, well drained and moderately 
sheltered. 
It forms a gaudy ornament while in flower in April and 
May, and presents a great variety in the colour of its blos- 
soms, from a delicate pink to a deep red. It is to be met 
with in the Highlands of Scotland in an indigenous state, 
associated with the sallow, the birch, and hazel, and some of 
the varieties retain the leaves and fruit far into winter. 
The tree is subject to disease, the chief of which is the 
insect known as the “American bug” or “apple aphis,” 
which appears like a woolly substance on the branches, and 
sometimes under the surface, on the roots. It eats into 
the bark, impedes the circulation of the sap, disfigures the 
branches, and retards their growth. With some trouble it 
can be cured on a garden tree by train-oil, alkaline, or 
urinal wash of any kind. The best mode of applying the 
liquid is by heating and brushing it into the crevices of the 
bark on every branch and twig, with a painter’s brush. In 
the orchard and forest this is impracticable, and there is no 
cure. 
The wood of the apple varies in quality, according to the 
soil and the variety of the tree. All are hard, fine grained, of 
a brown colour, and sought after for articles of turnery. 
The Mountain Ash, or Rowan Tree—P. aucuparia—(Gaertner). 
—This tree is indigenous to the mountainous situations 
