The apple dates back to the very dawn of history. It has been
frequently called the "fruit of discord," as so many unhappy
disasters in history and legend have been connected with it. All
are familiar with the fall of Adam and Eve, and apple is usually
supposed to have been the forbidden fruit. The decision of
Paris which brought about the famous Trojan War again brings
the apple into history.
The apple is frequently but wrongly supposed to be a native
of England. There was a native variety, but it was small in
size, about the size of a small hazel nut and inferior in flavor.
The Eoman conquerors brought a superior variety with them
when they conquered the Britons — they having received it from
the Orient. Henry VIII was especially fond of apples, and his
gardener cultivated extensive orchards. Many tales are related
of his love for the fruit. Shakespeare frequently referred to
apples as "pippins," so called because they are raised from the
' ' pip ' ' or seed. Cider seems to have been first made in England,
and w^as for many years a national beverage.
The apples were introduced into New England by the early
settlers. It took very kindly to its new home, and its cultivation
spread from colony to colony as the country grew. So delicious
were the Albemarle pippins of Virginia their fame spread across
the water to the very ears of the king himself, and a yearly
tribute of them was exacted for the roval table.
68 Bulletin of tlie University of Texas
At present, over two thousand varieties are known. The apple
enjoys much the same popuarity in the fruit world which the
potato does in the vegetable world. It stands packing and
transportation to great distances, and has splendid keeping
qualities. It may be stored for months without deterioration
or loss of flavor. It also lends itself to an endless variety of
dishes, and for this reasoon it is particularly valuable to house-
keepers. One recipe book, as has been said before, contains
over one hundred recipes for using apples.
SOME MYTHS AND LEGENDS OF THE APPLE
Scandinavian. — The apple was the favorite fruit of the Scan-
dinavian gods, who ate it when they found themselves growing
infirm in body and mind.
Greek. — Atlanta was tolk by a fortune teller that if she ever
married it would be her ruin, consequently, she fled from men
and devoted all her time to the chase. But the fame of her
beauty traveled abroad, and many suitors came to woo her. So
that she might be rid of them, she announced that she would
wed the one who could conquer her in a race, but defeat would
mean death to the contestant. Despite the hard conditions,
many swains entered the contest. Hippomenes was appointed
judge of the race, but when he saw how beautiful Atlanta was
he decided to enter the contest himself, and appealed to Venus
to help him. This she did by giving him three golden apples.
The race began and Atlanta soon began to gain upon him. He
threw one of the apples in her path and she paused to pick it
up. But when she saw he was outdistancing her, she increased
her speed and threatened to go ahead of him. Again he threw
an apple, and as before, she paused to get it, and he shot ahead.
The third time she was abreast of him and he threw the remain-
ing apple otf to one side. She hesitated a moment, and then
went out of the path to secure it.
Page 25
Presented as published in 1916. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
The apple dates back to the very dawn of history. It has been frequently called the "fruit of discord," as so many unhappy disasters in history and legend have been connected with it. All are familiar with the fall of Adam and Eve, and apple is usually supposed to have been the forbidden fruit. The decision of Paris which brought about the famous Trojan War again brings the apple into history.
The apple is frequently but wrongly supposed to be a native of England. There was a native variety, but it was small in size, about the size of a small hazel nut and inferior in flavor. The Roman conquerors brought a superior variety with them when they conquered the Britons — they having received it from the Orient. Henry VIII was especially fond of apples, and his gardener cultivated extensive orchards. Many tales are related of his love for the fruit. Shakespeare frequently referred to apples as "pippins," so called because they are raised from the ' ' pip ' ' or seed. Cider seems to have been first made in England, and was for many years a national beverage.
The apples were introduced into New England by the early settlers. It took very kindly to its new home, and its cultivation spread from colony to colony as the country grew. So delicious were the Albemarle pippins of Virginia their fame spread across the water to the very ears of the king himself, and a yearly tribute of them was exacted for the roval table.
68 Bulletin of tlie University of Texas
At present, over two thousand varieties are known. The apple enjoys much the same popuarity in the fruit world which the potato does in the vegetable world. It stands packing and transportation to great distances, and has splendid keeping qualities. It may be stored for months without deterioration or loss of flavor. It also lends itself to an endless variety of dishes, and for this reason it is particularly valuable to housekeepers. One recipe book, as has been said before, contains over one hundred recipes for using apples.
SOME MYTHS AND LEGENDS OF THE APPLE
Scandinavian. — The apple was the favorite fruit of the Scandinavian gods, who ate it when they found themselves growing infirm in body and mind.
Greek. — Atlanta was told by a fortune teller that if she ever married it would be her ruin, consequently, she fled from men and devoted all her time to the chase. But the fame of her beauty traveled abroad, and many suitors came to woo her. So that she might be rid of them, she announced that she would wed the one who could conquer her in a race, but defeat would mean death to the contestant. Despite the hard conditions, many swains entered the contest. Hippomenes was appointed judge of the race, but when he saw how beautiful Atlanta was he decided to enter the contest himself, and appealed to Venus to help him. This she did by giving him three golden apples. The race began and Atlanta soon began to gain upon him. He threw one of the apples in her path and she paused to pick it up. But when she saw he was outdistancing her, she increased her speed and threatened to go ahead of him. Again he threw an apple, and as before, she paused to get it, and he shot ahead. The third time she was abreast of him and he threw the remaining apple off to one side. She hesitated a moment, and then went out of the path to secure it.