The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1851-10-01

first cleared from tho forest the surface was
covered with considerable quantity of veg
etablem after, which, being Incorporated with
the soil by plowing. served to keep ii for
some time in mellow ami Riahlc state. The
roots OF the trees or stumps also operated 10
keep the soil from packing, aud Mt the same
time served considerably as drainage. Ii is
well known that roots serve as leaders TO
carry the water into the earth, and that c.
ven after they have decayed, the spaces
they occupied are for a while, so many water
channels leading from the surface. This eff
feet, which all may nave noticed, is very i'm.
portant in u stiff soil.
But as cultivation goes on, the vegetable
matter derived from the forest disappears
the roots and stumps gradually decay, the
earth settles into the places they occupied,
the water remains longer on the surface
than before, and the soil runs together and
ioclines 10 pack heavily. Such has prob
ably bocn the effect here, and this changed
condition OF the soil would tend TO make
the wheat crop more liable 10 be winter
killed and more liable TO blight.
So much for the mechanical alteration OF
the soil. In addition 10 this, is the effect Of
exhaustion, which, though, perhaps, OF Sec
ondsry consequence here. III most instances,
has undoubtedly deprived the soil, 10 some
extent Of the constituents OF wheat aud 9th
er crops.
But though have taken wheat ns an ex>
annie oil the beneficial results of drainage, it
must not be inferred that many other crops
arc not equally benelitted--ncarly all arc
improved both in quantity and quality The
object has been to illustrate an essential
principlc-not TO advise the growth of wheat
or any one crop, unless il should be found
tnorc profitable than anything else. Fruit
trees arc greatly benefited by arninage-
they are moro thrifty, tho truit is rendered
more certain and abundant, and Of superior
flavor. Trees which stand in cold sour
soil, or where watci remains long in the soil
OF subsoi, never produce hieh.Gavored fruit.
Even the grass crop has been proved to be
much improved by drainage it is made
much sweeer and more nutritious, in many
instances, and in consequence Of the soil
being protected against wet and drouth, its
growth is more constant and abundant
through the whole season.
have taken considerable time in :he dis
elssion of the subject Of drainage, because
am confident it is ono OF the most impor-
tsnt objects TO which you can direct your at.
teption-one in which an investment of your
capital and labor would be mos, amply re.
wardcd.
Among tho means for tho general im-
provement of agriculture, societies or asso-
Citations have long been regarded as highly
useful. Your own association has doubles:
afforded evidence OF this fact. They awaken
attention, and increase the Importance oil
agriculture in public estimation, and by
making il popular and honorable as an oc.
cupaton, do away tho reluctance which has
been felt 10 engage in it; they create spirit
Of enterprise and emulation in regard 10 i'm
provemcnt they give, or shnnld give to the
world The particulars in regard to the pros
duotion Of the best crops, and the breeding
and rearing OF valuable animals, thus dis
pensing knowledge which is rendered more
widely available; they promote intercourse
and interchange of ideas among farmers
which gives circulation to intelligence, ant
eiicits truth and favors its adoption. More
than all, they bring animals and articles TO-
Cothcr at the annual exhibitions, and afTort
all an opportunity TO judge of their merit
BY conpdrison-the only correct criterion.
But an important service might DO rem
dered by agricultural societies. which is nov
scarcely attended TO at all. mean the set
element of doubtful questions by direct anC
thorough experiment. This is certainly al
object which legitimatey comes within TIN
sphere of agricultural societies, and on
which could be much uore readily ATTENDED
10 by them than by tho unaidcd efforts Of in
dividuals. Tho questions which require solu
ton are various, and of especial application
and interest, according to the situation an,
circumstances of each district of country
They comprise the comparative value @
specific manures for different crops tn
comparative value OF different crops grow
on the same soil, for different purposes, sue
as feeding different kinds of stock the com
patalve value of different breeds OF ami
mails for specified purposes the testing G
new plants, fruits, and seeds in short, an
question which concerns the agriculture
productions OF the country
These questions will seldom be settled b
Individual experiment. But few person
really possess the requisites for conductir
these experiments in such manner as I
Gender tho results entirely reliable. Fe,
can Afford the expense and trouble, espeC
daily when, as in most cases, the results woul
DO rather Of public than private benefit. |
relation to subjects where individual in
teresIs are involved, there is, OF course, NOR
or less personal bias, which is hindranre
an impartial and jus, conclusion. All ihes
difficulties would be obviaied by placing III
power in the hands of nm intelligent boar
and capable men 10 conduct The experiment
under their supervision.
Thus far. but little has ocen done in III
direction by agricultural societies in III
country, although soma foreign societies.
particularly the Highland Society OF SEQ
Lnd,-havc made themselves highly usef
by this mode of establishing facts. A st
ciety which would engage heartily in III
business, mark out Tor itself course Of C.
periments for series OF years. conduct thei
with skill. care, and impartiaty, would col
Ter great benefits on its members and II
community. The publication of the detail
the resu lis of their experiments, from yei
10 year, would give character to an associ
lion. and an authority and value TO its tran
actions which has not as yet been attaine
by any society in this country. Such d,
cisions would be really landmarks in Il
path Of truth they would put eflccrually
rest questions Of the highest importance
Lhe farmer, and save all immense useless e.
pendture Of money
But some may still be disposed 10 arg
that the facts to which the proposed expet
menm refer, are being every day gradual
brought out by individual experience. I'll
is only true in part; there are points viii,
the ordinary practice of individuals is n
sufficiently thorough to teach; aud bcsid,
the adage is here particularly applicable III
experience teaches deat school" Tru
il is school which in tho end corrects mar
errors. Men, under the excitement Of
day, often engage in schemes which exp
rionce proves were, in popular parlanc
mot what they wore cracked up to be
al. l. Il i