The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1850-01-29


mode Of culture, and sec if il corresponds
with yours; and we presume you will find ii
does not, but that you till more land, use less
manure, and labor in proportion TO the land
under cultivation, If the feeling could be
done away against book farming by those
who scout the idea that improvements have
been made since their forefathers, and would
pursue the principles inculcatcd by the best
writer's on the subject at the present day,
that no manure, no crops" and 81" till well
what you TILL" 1t is believed there would be
less complaint of short crops, and vast diff
ference in the product. Wheat and Corn,
we think, will be admitted 10 be the two most
important kinds grown in this county. VIM
ter and Spring wheat has paid fair proht
for the outlay the past season, particularly
winter, which has not been better in twenty
years. The best preparation is clover lay,
but in case YOU have none, we would recon-
mend blowing your land early in June, and
sowing from one to two and u alfbushels of
Buckwheat per acre, TO be turned under the
last of August or first of Septe mbcr. The
rapid decomposition Of the vegetable matter
warns The soil and makes it more iriable-
causes the wheat to vcgctate, grow, and get
q stronger growth-the roots to strike deep
or than they would had you applied manure,
or Sumner fallowed, as was the usual prac.
tice. 1 he Black Sea Ga spring Variety is
the only kind sown TO any extent at this
time When it was first intro luced into the
county three fourtbs to one bushel was con-
sdered sufficient to seed an acre but now
many are using two bushels one and half
is believed TO be preferable.
The crop Of corn the past year has not
been an average one, owing principally TO
the long severe droutl at the time the ears
were forming, and much of it having been
planted over 10 consequence Of the worms
and pigeons having destroyed it. The corn
grown in the county barely pays the labor
and capital invested in producing it; and
why? We say, there is too much land de-
voted TO the crop-labor insufficient TO keep
the land clear from wceds-the soil properly
stirred, and too small quantity Of manure.
If you expect good crop, use more ma
nurc, expend more labor, and we are conf
dent it will pay better than any hoed crop,
where long manure can be applied the soil
is in a proper condition, and the manure
has been deprived of its powerful stmulants,
which renders ii well adapted for the crops
usually sown after it,
Ii is believed by many that grass lay
and twenty loads of manure per acre, will
produce as good corn or potatoes as forty
loads will on old land. If so, will you not
find it to be good husbandry TO sow two and
n half to three bushels of Rye per acre oil
land where you have taken a crop, and in
tend TO pillow it late in the fall or spring, inn
mediately, that the plants may get as vigor-
Gus growth as possible, to be fed of if your
stock require it, and then turned under for
the benefit of the soil. Potatoes have been
an average crop, and a small per cent. have
rot,ed in proportion to former seasons. Oats
grew unusually short; but the product is
much better than was anticipated at harvest
ing.
The observations during the past season
more fully confirm The opinion advanced
in former report of the practice Of farmers
of blowing their lands into large beds, es-
pecialy where they intend to stock down to
grass. Frequently after the sowing season
is over, yon have heavy rains and the soil
becomes greatly saturated, and much Of il
under water which is very injurious TO the
growing plants. Itmakes the soil more com
pact-cracks and dries to greater depth
had your land been laid into beds of a suit
able width, and protected with drains sufli-
Gent to carry of the surplus water. Init
mately connected with the profits Of field
crops is the success which you have in seed>
ing your land. For the last ten years one
half OF .he seed has been lost in consequence
of the seasons, which it is confidently be-
lievcd might have been avoided TO great
extent had you sown your grass seed early in
August. Which is respectfully submitted by
Q. c. RICH, For Com
And the same was accepted and adopted
The Treasurer laid before the Society two
bills of Z. w. Blaisdell, Jr., for printing
personal services, and expenses, which were
allowed by the Society.
On motion of Judge Botium, it was voted
that the Report on Field Crops be published
in both the papers of this county.
The Auditors then made the following
REPORT.
Harry Goodrich, Treasurer, in account
with the Addison County Agricultural Soci
ETY., January 23d, 1850.
DIR.
To balance in hands of Treasurer
on settlement, Jan. II, 1919, S249,9i
To cash received Of members since