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Old Time Gardens 
ate it clear as a relish with meats ; and it was suited 
to appetites and digestions which had been formed 
by a diet of salted meats, fried breads, many pickles, 
and the drinking of hot cider sprinkled with pepper. 
Emerson well named the Apple the social fruit 
of New England. It ever has been and is still the 
grateful promoter and unfailing aid to informal 
social intercourse in the country-side ; but the 
Apple tree is something far nobler even than being 
the sign of cheerful and cordial acquaintance ; it is 
the beautiful rural emblem of industrious and tem- 
perate home life. Hence, let us wassail with a 
will : — 
Here’s to thee, old Apple tree ! 
Whence thou mayst bud, and whence thou mayst blow, 
And whence thou mayst bear Apples enow !” 
