Operation Manual

CHAPTER 3: Gathering Resources
60
Q Construction resources—You can mine plenty of cobblestone quite safely by expanding
your original shelter, digging into the terrain. But some other resources will definitely
come in handy. Wood is always useful. If you see any sand, mine it so you can smelt
it into glass blocks to let light into your shelter, and provide a view. (There’s no point
moving from your first cave into the outdoor equivalent of another!) Also keep an eye
out for coal. You can often see it in veins on the surface of the walls of small caves or
on the sides of cliffs. If you can safely get to it, make like a miner and dig it out. Use the
coal to make torches and to smelt other ores.
FIGURE 3.6 Knock down grass to gather seeds to plant wheat, an easy crop to
farm and turn into bread—a handy food if you’re stuck with no other edible options.
TIP
Making Use of Bones
The morning sun burns up skeletons, leaving behind bones that you can craft into
bone meal. Bone meal acts as a fertilizer, helping your crops grow faster. You can also
use bone to tame wolves, providing you with an extra level of protection. Chapter 7,
“Taming Mobs,” has a lot more information on breeding and taming Minecraft’s many
friendly creatures.
Start early, heading out with a stone sword at the ready, just in case. If you are low on wood,
swing an axe at a few nearby trees.