Plate I. 
partly explain why fruit growers should prefer to propagate those sorts which grow rr^re freely 
and are more certain croppers. The tree is hardy, and its fruit is in great demand. There is 
yet a want of young trees generally, for, be the reason what it may, grafts of late years have not 
succeeded well. The orchardists however have only to apply themselves to the cultivation of the 
Fox-whelp, and resolutely determine to perpetuate this precious variety, when the same success 
will crown their efforts in the future, which followed those of their predecessors in the past. 
The F ox-whelp cider when pure is of great strength, and always has a peculiar aroma, so 
marked that it can be detected directly the cork is drawn from the bottle. In taste it is generally 
rough and strong, with a peculiar vinous musky flavour, which gives its aroma. In ordinary 
seasons, unless made with great care, it is not sweet enough to be acceptable to strangers, and 
the taste which enjoys its peculiar flavour fully, must in such circumstances, perhaps, be acquired; 
but in a favourable year—a year of sunshine and genial showers, when the fruit has been ripened 
to perfection—happy is he who has a good hit of it. If he carries it well through the process of 
fermentation and keeps the flavour of the fruit, and its sweetness too, he has cider in perfection—a 
cider that will sell readily in its own district at a guinea a dozen ; and a cider moreover, that will 
unquestionably improve in quality for some three or four decades of years. It will not all be sold, 
however, for it is the pleasure and pride of the cider-growers of Herefordshire to have always ready 
for a friend a bottle of good Fox-whelp cider of a good year. 
The juice of the Fox-whelp Apple is, however, most used to give strength and flavour to the 
cider of mixed fruit, and when this is well made it is perhaps more generally popular than the very 
strong and pure Fox-whelp. A cider of this kind, excellent in quality, can be got at is. a bottle from 
the growers. The Fox-whelp cider has the character of changing colour very quickly on exposure 
to the air, and even at the table if not drunk quickly the dusky greenish tint will show itself. Some 
other strong ciders have also this peculiarity, which is certainly not a virtue. 
The Fox-whelp, beyond all question, is the most valuable cider apple, and by intelligent 
perseverance in propagating it, it will long continue to be so. 
\_For all the varieties of the Fox-whelp: the “ New? the “ Fasterd? the “ Red? and a description of 
their several merits , see Plate VI//.] 
