Recent Imp'ovements in Cider and Ferry Mal-ing. 173 
had been allowed to fall into a state of great neglect ; but chiefly 
owing to the exertions of the Woolhope Naturalists' Field Club, 
who meet at Hereford, and under whose auspices that magnificent 
work " The Herefordshire Pomona " was published some two or 
three years since, a great deal of attention has been paid to them 
which it is hoped in a few years' time will amply repay the 
owners. 
The following table will show at a glance the number of acres 
under orchard cultivation since about 1810 ; but it is not to be 
supposed that tJiese plantations are all devoted to the cultivation 
of cider and perry fruits, as great quantities of soft fruits are now 
grown 
Date 
Hereford 
Worcester 
Gloucester 
Monmoutli 
1810 
6,000 
1871 
20,811 
11,057 
10,841 
2,672 
1881 
27,000 
16,000 
14,170 
3,800 
1886 
27,112 
18,527 
15,500 
4,027 
In the Western district the writer has been unable to trace 
the first mention of cider or peny ; but from time immemorial 
both Devon and Somerset have b(^en famed for their orchards, and 
in recent years an extensive trade has been caiTied on in both 
these beverages. Comparatively little cider is made in Corn- 
wall, but the Devon and Somerset sides of Dorset produce excel- 
lent cider, and a good deal of attention has been paid of late years 
to the orchards of that section of the West country. Although 
some peny is made in this district, no coiTections or additions have 
been made to the list of pears appended to this paper, from which 
it would appear that either the kinds mentioned are the ones 
grown in the West Midland District, or the writer has not been 
fortunate enougli to come upon any one who can give him any 
information upon this point. Singularly enough, although large 
collections of cider fruit were sent to the different Pomona shows 
held at Hereford under the auspices of the Woolhope Club, no 
perry fruit was ever sent. 
The following table will show the acreage under orchards in 
this district: — 
Date 
Devou 
Somerset 
Cornwall 
1871 
30,013 
16,207 
7,408 
1881 
26,000 
22,800 
4,800 
1886 
20,411 
23,010 
5,120 
As in Kent and Sussex comparatively little cider is now made, 
it has not been thought necessary to give the acreage of orchards 
under cultivation. In the former county the Kentish Goff used 
