THE ORCHARD AND ITS PRODUCTS. 
CIDER AND PERRY. 
“ Nec vero terrae ferre omnia possunt.” , 
(Virgil. Geor. II iog.) 
Not every plant in every soil will grow. 
( Dry den.) 
“ Would’st thou thy Vats with gen’rous juice should froth ? 
Respect thy Orchats ; think not that the Trees 
Spontaneous will produce a wholesome Draught 
Let Art correct thy Breed. ” (Philips ’ Cyder.) 
“ We had also a drink, wholesome and good wine of the grape, a 
kind of Cider made of a fruit of that country, a wonderful pleasing 
and refreshing drink.” (Bacon.) 
The variable and temperate climates of Northern Europe are better suited to the growth of 
the Apple and the Pear-tree than to that of the heat-loving Vine : and thus in olden times, when 
communication was difficult or almost impossible, and each locality was very much dependent upon 
its own productions, Cider and Perry became the natural drink of the inhabitants. It is not however 
in every soil and situation that the juice of the Apple and Pear are sufficiently rich to produce 
fermented liquor of high flavour and quality ; and it is curious to observe how limited are the 
districts to which the experience of centuries has restricted the growth of Cider and Perry Orchards. 
In England it is only the Western Counties which are noted for their Orchards. The West 
Midland district comprising Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and some parts of 
Monmouthshire ; and the South-western district comprising the Counties of Devonshire, Somerset¬ 
shire and part of Dorsetshire. Cornwall, also possesses many Orchards ; and the fame of Kent is 
widely spread for its extensive production of dessert and table fruit. In Ireland some fair Cider is 
made in the Counties of Waterford and Cork, but not to any considerable extent. 
In Normandy Cider Orchards may be traced back to the nth Century. They were much 
more extensively planted between the 13th and 16th Centuries, and at the present time considerable 
