58 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



department. It seems difficult, if not impossible, to overstock 

 the market with good fruit. Fruit trees yield cheap and abun- 

 dant increase of the common food for cattle and swine. Sweet 

 apples, in particular, are nutritious and wholesome ; milch 

 cows are benefited by them ; and we have seen beef of the 

 greatest excellence which had been fattened entirely upon 

 them. Farms well stocked with fruit trees are always more 

 salable, and at much higher rates, than others. Indeed, in- 

 stances are not wanting of farms in this county which have been 

 enhanced in value from ten to thirty per cent, by the addition, 

 within a few years, of a well-cultivated and thrifty orchard of 

 grafted fruit. A remarkable example is furnished on the farm 

 of Mr. Grant, in Wrenthamj which we mention because that 

 whole farm is a memorable instance of what may be accom- 

 plished by industry and economy. Ten years ago it was ex- 

 hausted and scarcely worth cultivating. Mr. Grant has brought 

 it into a highly flourishing condition; and every stranger no- 

 tices the orchard as one of the most striking improvements. 

 The improvement of pastures is going on extensively. A pre- 

 judice formerly existed against ploughing up old pastures, 

 however mossy and miserable ; but the impulse given to the 

 manufacture of butter by continued high prices has induced an 

 extensive and favorable change. Old pastures are ploughed, 

 manured, cultivated, and laid down, furnishing abundant feed 

 where once were only moss and weeds. Farmers are not so 

 easily satisfied as formerly with the amount taken from the 

 land. They have become better acquainted with the capabili- 

 ties of the soil and with improved methods of working it; and, 

 instead of thirty, they look for sixty bushels of corn at least 

 from the acre, and other things in proportion. Of corn this is 

 especially true. Besides those fields that were entered for 

 premiums, we have seen many that promised remarkably large 

 yields. Of these, we will specify (on account of its size and 

 excellence) that of T. Motley, Jr., Esq., of West Roxbury. Mr. 

 Motley had ten acres in corn, which it was thought late in 

 Si ptember would yield at least eighty bushels to the acre. 

 This, however, is only in keeping with other tilings on that 

 farm, which in almost every respect challenges competition. 

 Wc also find that more than usual attention is given to the 



