CHAPTER XII. 
LARGE FRUITS. 
APPLES—(Pyrus Malus). 
The apple is essentially a fruit of the colder and more 
temperate regions of the globe, over which it is almost 
universally spread and cultivated. It is supposed by some to 
attain a great age. Haller mentions some trees in Hereford. 
shire that attained 1,000 years and were highly prolific ; but 
Knight considers 200 years as the ordinary duration of a 
healthy tree grafted on a crab stock and planted in a strong 
tenacious soil. The apple was probably introduced into 
Britain by the Romans, among whom it was a favourite fruit. 
There are over 1,400 varieties in cultivation. Many of 
the better sorts of English apples were probably introduced 
at first from the continent. 
The apple-tree thrives best in a rich deep loam, but it 
will thrive in any soil provided it is not too wet or too dry. 
It succeeds best in situations sheltered from the north and 
east, and which are neither high nor remarkably low. It is 
being extensively planted on the continent, and in Tasmania 
and Australia; and it has been grown extensively for many 
years in North America, where they are still increasing the 
area of land devoted to its culture. 
In order to keep possession of our markets, and to hold 
our own against the imported apples, it is necessary to 
increase the average quality of our apples put upon the 
market. This can only be done by limiting the number of 
varieties planted to a few of the best, and by planting a 
