The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1850-08-06
Farmers Note Book.


Besides observing the details of farm
work, the pupil should observe every phe-
nomenon that occurs within the field Of
his observation. Creation, both animate
and inanimate, lies before him, and, bes
ing necessarily much out of doors, OBJ
serv alton becomes a subject Of interest
TO him rather than otherwise. 1t is at
all times useful to observe facts and be-
come familiarized with those more im>
mediately connected with his profession;
and the relation have so largely traced
as existing between agriculture and the
sciences may show the immense extent
Of the field of observation in which the
studen, may occupy himself Nor let
him suppose that any TACT is too trivial
for observation, as the minutest may
form connecting link between greater
ones, which may exhibit no relationship
TO one another but through the minute
one. In course of time, observation will
enable him to discriminate between phe-
nomena that influence one another, and
that stand in isolation and the discrlm-
inalion will only be learned in time, for
every fact will appear TO him at first as
alike valuable aud valueless.
1t should be kept in remembrance that
1t is no easy matter 10 observe phenome'
ma with accuracy. There is tide in
their existence, as in the affairs of men,
which, when taken at the proper time,
may lead to sound conviction but lfnot
to erroneous deduction. How many sys-
tens of belief have arisen from improp-
cr observation With some persons, IT
observation confirms not preconceived
notions, the phenomenon is neglected or
perverted; but the agricultural student
should have no prcjudlccd notions, and
regard every occurrence with calmness
and determination to arrive at the
truth. 1t is only in such a state OF mind
he can hope TO make the results OF ac'
: tual observation in the field subservient
to acquiring practical knowledge Of
| agriculture.
: The facts to which he should first dl-
rect his attention, are the cttct Of the
,reather for the time on the operations OF
the fields and their products, and on the
5 condition Of the live stock. He should
$ notice every remarkable occurrence Of
S heat or cold, rain or drought, unpleasant
8 or agreeable feeling III The air; the effects
following any peculiat state Of the clouds
n or other meteors in the alf--as storms,
n aurora.borealis, h1lues, and the like
o the peculiar effect Of rain or drought,
: heat or cold, in retarding or materially
r altering the labors Of the field, and the
n length of time and quantity OF rain res
r quired to produce such an effect as wei!
| as the influence of these on the health
!. or growth Of the plants, and the comN
o fort or condition of animals. .
n He should mark the time each KIND OF
crop is committed to the ground how
!! long it takes 10 appear above it, when 1t
S comes into ear, and the period oi har>
y vest: also try to ascertain the quantity
c of every kind of crop on the ground be-
!. fore il is cut down, and observe whether
the event corrobates previous judgment;
C estimate the weight Of cattle by the eye
$ at different periods Of their growth, and
: check the trials by measurements; The
i handling Of the beasts for this purpose
= will convey much information regarding
$ their progressive state of improvement )
i attend TO sheep when slaughtered, wcigh
d the carcass and endeayor to discover the
: sources of error committed in estimating
their weights.
lie should keep register Of each held
of the farm note the quantity oi labor
d. i, has received, the quantity oil manure
}. applied, the kind of crop sown, with 'he
i circumstances attending these operations
whether done quickly and in good
, style, or interrupiedly, from the hmd'
S rance of weather or other circumstances
lie should ascertain IN each held the
+ number of ridges required to make an
] acre, and whether the ridges be oi equaf
lenoth or not. By this he will more
T easily ascertain how much dung the held
1 receives per acre, the time taken to per-
: form the work on ridges OF different
length, and the comparative value oi the
crop produced on an acre in different
parts of the field. The subdivision OF
The field into acres will enable compar-
ison to be made of the relative value oil
the crops produced on varieties oil soil
in the same field, under the same treats
mcni.
The easiest way Of preserving iacts Is
in the tabular form. which admits oi eV-
cry one being pu, down under its proper
head A table not only exhibits all The
, facts a, glance, but records every one
III IL. L., ,rouhle i'm wrilinp Il he