X. 



THE WOODCOCK. 



The Woodcock is frequently mentioned by the writers on 

 orchards of the l7th century as a cider apple of great ex- 

 cellence ; and subsequent experience has justified the cha- 

 racter, which they have given of it. But the variety has 

 apparently survived the period allotted it by nature, and, 

 like every other of equal age, it has long ceased to deserve 

 the attention of the planter. 



The Woodcock is generally supposed to have derived its 

 name from an imaginary resemblance of the form of the 

 fruit and fruit-stalk, in some instances, to the head and beak 

 of a woodcock ; but it may possibly have been so called 

 from the name of the person who raised it from seed. The 

 specific gravity of its juice is about 1073. . 



