THE APPLE. 



371 



Kingsessing, Doyenne Grey, Brandywine, Long Green, 

 and Vicorapte de Spoelberg St. Andre, most of which 

 bear a high character everywhere. Mr. Van Buren rejects 

 Maria Louise and Vicar of Winkfield, also Louise Bonne 

 de Jersey and Pass Colmar. Maria Louise here is subject 

 to blight, and Vicar of Winkfield or Le Cure always cracks 

 and is worthless ; but Louise Bonne de Jersey is one of 

 the very best in tree and fruit here, and Passe Colmar 

 generally succeeds in the South, 



Pyrus Malus — The Apple. 



The apple probably originated from the European crab; 

 but, in its improved state, it is so superior to its parent, in 

 size and flavor, that some deny the original identity of the 

 two. But centuries of cultivation might certainly cause 

 as great a change in the quality of this fruit as, in the case 

 of the dahlia, we have seen a very few years produce in 

 the beauty of a flower. 



The apple was early brought into cultivation — in the 

 time of Pliny twenty-two varieties being known to the 

 Romans. They probably introduced its culture into Great 

 Britain. It succeeds, however, in this country better than 

 in Europe, especially in the fresh soils of the middle 

 States, or in the cool mountain regions of the South, 

 localities which have originated many choice varieties. 



Where the apple can be grown and preserved in per- 

 fection, it is the most useful of fruits. Varieties can be 

 selected which will afford a succession through the entire 

 season. They can be thus preserved in our own mountain 

 region, from which excellent fruit is brought as late as the 

 first of May. 



The best varieties of apples are excellent dessert fruits. 

 Medicinally, they are slightly laxative, and, used moder- 



