Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-10-07


not be neglected. / know that some are
disposed to start back when book-farmng
is suggested; but if we need periodical
to give US information of what is going on
IN the religious or political world, we need
one as much upon the subject that engages
our attention in the field. Information NAV
in this way be gained in a day, that might
otherwise cost us weeks, months, and even
years to obtain. If the experiments that we
notice have no particular application to our
own farm, we may improve upon them to
our benefit, or impart information to neigh
Dor. 1t is not to be supposed that every
experiment, that proves successful to others,
will equally benefit ourselves, nor will all
the recommendations apply to our own
farms. The farmers own Judgment and
discretion are to be brought into exercise
on almost every subject connected with his
business. In the first place as to the guam
tity of land that he can successfully cult
vate; then as to its division into convenient
LOTS the kind and quantity of stock most
profitable to be kept, and the kind of crops
best adapted to the soil the best kind of
fence and fencing material the number
and kind of buildings necessary for profit
and convenience these and variety of
other subjects must be determined by the
Judgment of the farmer. Some writers, for
instance, speak of a particular kind of fence
and recommend it for cheapness and dura-
bility, as though it would apply to all cases
and under all circumstances, when such is
not the fact. If suitable stone can be had,
such will undoubtedly make the best and
perhaps the cheapest fence. The object of
removing the stone from the soil will also be
accomplished by converting them into wall.
Whether timber split by the saw or hand
should be used when.stone are not at hand
is a matter depending on circumstances.
| would suggest for the consideration of
others whether stone posts could not be more
extensively used with profit and0adyantage.
The first cost indeed is more than for wood,
but the durability it seems to me will out
weigh this objection, besides they take up
the least possible ground in building.
1t is not my purpose, however, to quarrel
with any one about the kind of fence, but to
impress upon the minds of farmers the inn
portance of having a good fence of some
kind.-Perhaps the want of such has been
the cause of more heart-burnings and litiga-
ton amongst neighbors, than any one cause
ever known; besides, unruly stock is al
ways the consequence of poor fences. Our
own crops lay at the mercy of the destroyer,
and the neighborhood is in a continual tur-
moil. The first business therefore should
be to put the fences in good repair and keen
them so.
The last suggestion will also apply to
buildings. We should be careful not to
erect more than we need and to have no ex-
cess in size. Our taxes on buildings and
the expense of repairs should be a caution
to us on this subject. Dilapidated buildings
are curse to any farmer. Those who have
exchanged their old fashioned gambrel-roof-
ed houses, with large cold rooms, for the
neat and pleasant cottage, have no doubt
lighted up a smile upon the countenances of
the matron and her daughters, and have al
so added to the convenience, appearance,
and value of their premises. Too many,
however, neglect the last finishing stroke,
which adds to the worth and neatness of
the dwelling. l mean the painting; this
should never be neglected il saves an album
dance of inside labor, and the expense is
more than saved in durability. Boards
should never be used for windows, nor
should old hats and dish rags supply the
place of glass.
Suitable places for feeding stock, so as to
prevent the loss of hay should be provided,
) and sheds to protect the stock against storms
and cold winds: and last though not least,
suitable and convenient watering place
should be at hand The improvement GO
ing on in this particular is very great The
old fashioned pump or bucket is put aside /;
the brook, half mile or less from the barn.
,- md f,o,,
flows continually into the yard, where the
stock can make free and copious draughts
as the wants Of nature may demand. These
improvements may well be attended TO in
our own county. 1t is not here, as in Eu-
rope, where the land is owned by but few,
and the tiller is not generally the owner.
Here the land is distributed in smaller guam
titles, and the farmer is the owner of the
; premises that he occupies-whatever i'm
provements therefore he makes are his own,
and the benefits resulting are enjoyed by
himself and his posterity
| There is reason to believe that too many
: of our farmers neglect their young stock
They lack both for feed in the winter and
4 pasturng in the summer, and consequently
, become stunted and never arrive TO their
t proper and natural growth. The COWS must
: be well kept so as to increase the dairy, rea-
sons the woman as well as the man
: and the reasoning is sound and correct; but
! after all, the young stock must not be neg
: leeted. Generally, the pinch comes on to-
; wards spring, for the want OF a sufficient
supply of hay, and ii state of starvation thro'
the summer throws the stock back, in size,
the growth of one season. There is rem
edy for this, without reducing the dsiry.
= In the first place the cows may be reduced
; one third, and the same quantity of milk OBJ
, tanned, and of better quality, Regard
/ should be had to the quality of mich cows
| know of no farmer in my section of the
county who might not, by taking pains to
) procure good milchers, reduce his number
of cows one third, and still make more but
ter and cheese than he does from the pres
t ent number. 1t costs no more to keep a
: good COW than poor one. 1t should be a
; subject of inquiry whether the. obtaining
= stock from the AYRSHIRE that has been in.
troduced into our county, would not well
l pay the expense. Another remedy may be
found in improving the moving lands. BY SC
S doing you may add to your pasture, and the
S hay will not be exhausted before the snow