Oxford, Jan. 9. 1850.
_New Year's Day Custom._--I shall be glad if any of your readers can
inform me of the origin and signification, of the custom of carrying
about decorated apples on New Year's Day, and presenting them to the
friends of the bearers. The apples have three skewers of wood stuck into
them so as to form a tripod foundation, and their sides are ornamented
with oat grains, while various evergreens and berries adorn the top. A
raisin is occasionally fastened on each oat grain, but this is, I
believe, and innovation.