384 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



the moisture from tlie interior of the apple to the surface, and 

 being then exhaled after a sufficient time has elapsed. 



Mr. Pingree coincided with the theory of sweating ; but for 

 small fruits, such as strawberries, he thought it desirable to send 

 them to market before the sweating process commences. If a 

 sufficiency of air is furnished to berries until they are exposed 

 in the market, the sweating process does not take place at all. 



Dr. Waterbury explained the sweating process, as a process of 

 vitality. There is a continued exudation from the fruit, while 

 ripening, as while growing. He would prefer the square form of 

 boxes for packing, to the form of the baskets. One advantage of 

 these baskets would be uniformity of size ; for the ordinary baskets 

 differ so much that we can never know when we buy a basket of 

 berries, what is its capacity. 



SALT FOR CATTLE. 



A letter from Mr. Sprague, of Iowa, upon the practice of giving 

 salt to farm stock. Until the last year, while keeping over a 

 hundred head of cattle, he had followed the practice of salting 

 them regularly. But the experience of the last year had satisfied 

 him that cattle do not require more salt than is contained in the 

 food they consume. 



Mr. Robinson stated that he had himself wintered a large herd 

 of cattle, sheep, and horses, without salt, and they never did 

 better. Salt he considered unnecessary for the stomach of man 

 or beast. 



Mr. Carpenter had adopted the same principle ; not having 

 salted his horses or cows for three years. Neither did he salt 

 his land, or his hay. His horses had refused to eat salt hay. 



Dr. Trimble said that whether salt was necessary or not, it 

 would not be contended that it hurt the cattle, and it pleases 

 them, and gives pleasure to the farmer. The cattle will leave 

 the best feed to come for the salt, and it may be a means of 

 making them more tame. He would recommend giving salt at 

 least once a week to horses and cattle. 



Mr. Smith was in favor of placing the salt where the animals 

 could help themselves when they please. 



Dr. Waterbury believed in giving animals all the salt they 

 want, in the first place, because they like it ; and he knew no 

 indication safer to follow with regard to the well being of any 

 animal than the inclinations of that animal. He might draw up 



