76 



was used. The best form of using ihem seems to be to boil them 

 with potatoes ; and it is recommended by several farmers in this case 

 to put the apples at the bottom of the kettle ; and the potatoes be- 

 come thus impregnated with their flavor. This comparatively new 

 use and value of apples may be pronounced a great discovery of the 

 most beneficial character. Many farmers not accustomed to speak 

 lightly pronounce them of equal value as potatoes for the fatting of 

 swine, for milch cows, and for beef cattle. I can answer for the hu- 

 man animal. There is no food more healthful or more nutritious in 

 reasonable quantities than apples cooked or raw. A dish of baked 

 apples and pure milk is of all others the most delicious to the una- 

 dulterated taste ; and the free use of apples and milk, in place of the 

 miserable slops of tea and coffee, would give to the young bipeds of 

 the family vigorous bodies and bright minds ; abate a large item in 

 domestic expenses ; and prevent a taste for the two greatest and unal- 

 leviated curses with which humanity was ever visited, tobacco and 

 rum . 



I had intended in this case to have gone largely into the subject of 

 the sheep husbandry, one of the most important interests of this coun- 

 ty and of the state ; but I have determined to omit it here and treat 

 it at large in my Report of Franklin County which will immediately 

 follow this ; a county which like Berkshire is well suited to the rais- 

 ing of wool. 



VIII. MANURES. 



It must be admitted that little attention is paid to the subject of 

 manures ; and that a compost heap is scarcely to be found from one 

 end of the county to the other. The usual resources are ample ; 

 but the raising of wool has in many cases prevented cultivation ; and 

 the forming or accumulation of manures has therefore received com- 

 paratively little attention. 



The mineral manures in the county are abundant ; for an account 

 of which I must refer to the elaborate report of the Geological Sur- 

 veyor on economical geology, published by order of the government 

 the last year. 



