Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1875-11-19
AGRICULTURAL.

VALUE OF APPLES AS FooD.-ln
the experiments mads with the view
Of determining this point, the conclu-
sion has been that apples were of lit
10 value in themselves a. fodder for
animals. The fact that they hold so
large percentage Of water, usually
more than ninety per cent, proves
that at best they must be very at
tenuatel form of food. The most en-
tire absence Of heterogeneous substances
in apples proves that they are hardly
worthy Of attention as source of an
imal nutrition. Professor Storrer, OF
the Bussey Institution, has been CIV
ing attention to the subject, and the
result Of his observations and analysis
20 to corroborate the views we have
taken. In a recent publication he
remarks as follows:
The precise significance Of food for
animals does not appear to have ever
very clearly made out. Though cat
en- greedily by all kinds Of cattle,
this fruit is seldom given to them pur-
posely, or in a methodical way; and
although it often happens here in
New England that horned cattle in
particular have access to windful ap-
pies in their pastures, in such wise
that they actually consume very con-
siderable quantities Of them, there are
comparatively few farmers who would
deem it good practice to feed out ap-
ples to stock as they would feed
pumpkins, or turnips and other roots
With regard to the comparative
fodder value OF apples and potatoes.
that can only be determi ned by com
petive trials, in which each Of these
kinds of food is supplemented by
other kinds that are competent to
supply the constituents which are
lacking in the apples or in the pota-
toes, as the case may be. From the
analysis it would appear that there
Is actually less food in a pound Of ap,
pies than in pound Of potatoes.
PUBLIC RoADS.-The season is a."
preaching when the roads get bad,
and when horses suffer, gears get bro
ken, vehicles get knocked to pieces,
and there is considerable loss Of
time and temper all round. Not
only are horsemen interested in good
roads, but The foot passenger also,
many have to go distances out Of
their way, or stay at home altogether
because the reads are bad, and when
compelled to travel have to pick their
way, and still have clothes soiled or
spoiled. We give the following from
the Maryland Farmer in relation to
the subject, believing that everything
written in behalfof good roads is
among the most profitable Of the
times. Next to good schools, good
roads are the best public property any
community can possess. On good
roads increased loads can be carried by
the teams, and with greater safety,
ease and speed, less breakage Of waG-
ons, les tear Of horses, and less loss of
shoes. Often defect or roughness in
the public road which few hours
or dollars expense would remedy
will cause breakage to wagons or inJu-
ry to horses to the extent Of ten Or
twelve times the cost Of repairing the
road to good condition.
Besides the pleasure Of riding over
good roads, the fact Of being able, in
the case ofsickness, accidents, or other
pressing emergency, to drive rapid
ly and safely over the roads, is a
great and interesting consideration,
which, it would seem, is enough to in
duce every community to make and
keep good public roads. Teams can
haul much better loads, and in quick
or time, to market, over good roads !;
and if all these facts were weighed
and needed by all, we should every
whore have good roads and less town
ship troubles. Think of it, men.
4 prodncer of uork in Muskingum