The apple tree was formerly supposed to be the tree of knowledge, the fruit of which was eaten by Eve 
in Paradise ; and it is a curious fact, that the apple tree is also distinguished by legends in the mythologies of 
the Greeks, the Scandinavians, and the Druids. The Pagans believed that the golden fruit of the Hesperides, 
which it was one of the labours of Hercules to procure, in spite of the fierce dragon that guarded them and 
never slept, were apples ; though modern writers have supposed them oranges. In the Edda we are told 
that the goddess Iduma had the care of apples which had the power of conferring immortality ; and were, 
consequently, reserved for the gods, who ate of them when they began to feel themselves growing old. The 
evil spirit Loke took away Imuna and her apple tree, and hid them in a forest, where they could not be 
found by the gods. In consequence of this malicious theft, every thing went wrong in the world. The 
gods became old and infirm ; and enfeebled both in mind and body, no longer paid the same attention to the 
affairs of the earth, and men having no one to look after them, fell into evil courses, and became the prey 
of the evil spirit. At length the gods finding matters get worse - every day roused their last remains of 
vigour, and combining together, forced Loke to restore the tree. The Druids paid particular reverence to 
the apple tree, because the misletoe was supposed to grow only on it and the oak ; and also on account of 
the great usefulness of the fruit. In consequence of this feeling, the apple was cultivated in Britain from 
the earliest ages of which we have any record ; and Glastonbury was called the apple orchard, from the 
great quantity of apples grown there, previously to the arrival of the Romans. Apples were blessed by the 
priests on July 25 ; and an especial form for this purpose is preserved in the manual of the church of Sarum. 
The custom of bobbing for apples on All Hallow E'en. A kind of hanging beam which was continually 
turning, was suspended from the roof of the room and an apple placed at one end, and a lighted candle at 
the other. The parties having their hands tied behind them, and being to catch the apples with their 
mouths of course frequently caught the candle instead. In Warwickshire, apples are tied to a string, and 
caught in the same manner, but the lighted candle is omitted ; and in the same county, children roast apples 
on a string on Christmas Eve ; the first that can catch an apple, when it drops from the string getting it. 
In Scotland, apples are put into a tub of water, and bobbed for with the mouth. Apples are used as part 
of the ingredients of mince pies, which in some parts of the country, would be thought to lose their power 
of “ producing a happy month for every one tasted in the twelve days of Christmas,” if this fruit were 
omitted. The custom of grippling, which may be called apple gleaning, is, or was formerly, practised in 
Herefordshire. It consists in leaving a few apples which are called gripples, on every tree, after the general 
gathering, for the boys who go with climbing poles and bags to collect them. 
Thomson, in his Seasons speaking of the apple gathering, says — 
“ The fragrant stores, the wide projecting heaps 
Of apples, which the lusty handed Year, 
Innumerous, o’er the blushing orchard shakes. 
A various spirit, fresh, delicious, keen, 
Dwells in their gelid pores ; and, active, points 
The piercing cider for the thirsty tongue:” 
Apples often fall prematurely, from being worm eaten. The cause of this is a beautiful little moth, 
with wings studded with silvery shining specks, the economy of which has been satisfactorily pointed out 
by a writer in the Entomological Magazine. This insect leaves the chrysalis state about the middle of 
June, about which time the apples are well set. The moth now lays its eggs in the eye of the apple, one 
only in each, by introducing its long ovipositor between the leaves of the calyx, which forms a tent above 
it that effectually shields it from the inclemency of the weather, or any other casualty. “ As soon as the 
egg hatches, the little grub gnaws a hole in the crown of the apple, and soon buries itself in its substance; 
and it is worthy of remark, that the rind of the apple, as if to afford every facility to the destroyer, is thinner 
here than in any other part, and consequently, more easily pierced. The apple most commonly attacked is 
the codlin, a large early sort, which ripens in July and August. “ The grub controlled by an unvarying 
instinct, eats into the apple obliquely downwards, and, by thus avoiding the core and pips, in no way 
hinders its growth : at first it makes but slow progress, being little bigger than a thread ; but, after a fort- 
night, its size and its operations have much increased. It has now eaten half way down the apple ; and 
the position of the hole at the top, if the apple continue upright or nearly so is inconvenient for a 
purpose it has up to this time been used for, that is, for a pass to get rid of its little pellet, which is 
sometimes like fine sawdust or coarse sand. Another communication with the outer air is therefore re- 
quired ; and it must be so constructed as to allow the power of gravity to assist in keeping it clear : it is 
accordingly made directly downwards, towards that part of the apple which is lowest ; and thus the trouble 
of thrusting the pellets upwards through the eye of the apple is saved, and a constant admission given to a 
supply of air without any labour. The hole now made is not, however, sufficiently open for an observer to 
gain by its means any knowledge of what is going on within, this is only to be obtained by cutting open a 
number of the apples, as they gradually advance towards ripening, the hole is, however, very easily seen, 
from its always having adhering to it, on the outside, an accumulation of the little grains which have been 
