14 



demand for this fruit, not only for neighboring markets, 

 but for shipping abroad. Our winter apples have gen- 

 erally the property of long keeping; and if, as is said, 

 they are superior in flavor to those of the south and of 

 Europe, the day cannot be far distant, when steam navi- 

 gation will open sources for its exportation as yet unex- 

 plored. The apples of Essex may yet be as widely 

 celebrated as the oranges of Havana. 



It is unnecessary, however, to urge this subject fur- 

 ther on your consideration, for in every quarter evidence 

 is seen of increased and increasing attention to it in 

 practice. Our farmers are beginning to wake up to the 

 value of good orchards, and are renovating old ones and 

 planting new. Let such efforts be continued and in a 

 few years we shall ourselves receive substantial re- 

 wards; and when the next generation take our places, 

 they will bless our memory for the rich legacy be- 

 queathed to them; every blossom in spring will revive 

 grateful recollections, and every cluster of fruit in au- 

 tumn will be a fresh memento of our deeds. 



But there are other branches of agriculture which 

 should receive greater attention. One, especially, de- 

 serves consideration — the providing of succulent food 

 for cattle in winter and early spring. The general 

 practice among us is to send to market as much hay as 

 possible; probably in no part of the state is so much hay 

 sold from the same territory, as from our own county. 

 This course will doubtless be continued, so long as this 

 article commands the prices, which of late years have 

 been obtained for it. Our fresh meadows and salt 

 marshes, by furnishing supplies of fodder for home use, 

 enable us to do this; but our farm stock to a considera- 

 ble extent, suffer from the inferior fare they are obliged 

 to put up with. Now, would we increase the number 

 and improve the condition of our cattle, ample provision 

 must be made for their wintering. By so doing, we shall 

 multiply the means of fertilizing the soil, for improve- 

 ment in one branch of agricultural economy begets im- 

 provement in another. 



It is little credit to a farmer to boast of the large 



