Reports of Committees. 27 



dry, the rough places smooth, the compost heap larger, the cultivation more thor- 

 ough, and the stock of better quality. If other farmers can be induced to enter their 

 farms for the inspection of your Committee, we are confident they will find their 

 greatest reward, not in the premium, nor in the honor, but in the improvements 

 which, almost unconsciously to themselves, will be made in their estates. 



The number of Apple Orchards entered for our inspection this year was nine, and 

 the number of "Collections of Fruit Trees of Various Kinds," eight. In our report 

 last year we took occasion to give our views of what constitutes a well managed 

 farm, and we propose this year to speak of fruit, and especially of the apple as the 

 leading fruit of New England. While we rejoice to see the increased attention given 

 to grapes, and to bear testimony to the variety and excellence of the clusters of this 

 most healthful fruit, which we, have seen growing in Berkshire this summer, as also 

 to the large and luscious pears, and more luscious peaches, still the apple will ever 

 remain the staple fruit of this section. It can be raised in great abundance and in 

 great perfection, and lasts from the beginning to the end of the year. It is good for 

 the dessert and good for cooking. The acid of the apple is congenial to most stom- 

 achs, and is a great auxiliary in digestion, counteracting the bilious tendency which 

 is so prevalent, especially in the latter part of summer and in the autumn, when the 

 apple is in its most perfect condition. Could all men be supplied with an apple or 

 two each day in the year, as they can be with a little pains-taking, we are confident 

 there would be less dyspepsia in the community. Children are extravagantly fond 

 of apples, and the natural craving which they all have for this fruit, proves that it 

 it is congenial to their natures, and that they should be indulged in the use of it. 

 In cooking, certainly, there is no fruit which is so economical, and at the same time 

 so satisfactory, as the apple. We tire of a berry pie, but for a dessert which is ac- 

 ceptable 3G5 days in the year, we commend the apple either in its raw state, or 

 made into sauce, dumplings and pies. 



There is no danger of the market being overstocked with this fruit, as some sup- 

 pose. True, in a good fruit season, the price may be comparatively low, but it is 

 always remunerative, as the cost of raising it is small. When the price is $2 per 

 barrel, as it is this year, producers must console themselves with the reflection that 

 multitudes of families can indulge in the purchase of a few barrels that would feel 

 compelled to deny themselves were the price twice as great. Then again, apples are 

 worth much more than the cost of production, for feeding to stock. Hogs eat them 

 with the same avidity as do the children, and, what is an exception to the common 

 rule, seem to prefer them raw, and thrive better upon the raw fruit than when it is 

 cooked. One of the best modes of feeding swine upon apples is to let them have the 

 run of the orchard, as they will do their own harvesting, eating all the windfalls, 

 which are generally wormy, thus preventing the worm from burrowing in the earth, 

 and rising again the next summer in the perfect or insect state, to multiply their spe- 

 cies. Cows are fond of apples, and if fed judiciously they greatly increase the flow 

 of milk. Horses also love them, and we can see no reason why they should not be 

 indulged occasionally with a dish of this fruit. Horses have the most artificial diet 

 of any of our domestic animals, and are the most subject to disease. We are confi- 

 dent a few apples would not only give a pleasant variety to their food, which all 

 animals like, but also remedy some of the ills to which our horses are now subject. 



If there is a surplus of apples after the wants of the family and the stock are sup- 



