Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1855-11-16
Legislative Agricultural Meet
inO
THURSDAY EvENINe, Nov. &, 1855.

The proceedings Of the last meeting were
read: by which it appeared that Under
Draining, Bheai Groiciag and Manmes had
been set for discussion thus evening.
Aftcr remarks from Mr.. Sprague Of Mont
pelief, on the use Of Guano. Mr. Marsh, Of
Clarendon, said the thin house was owing to
the Committees Of the Legislature being
generally in session. The subject of Under
Draining had been set for discussion this
evening, for the reason that a gentleman, ia
mliar with the subject, had promised them
the benefit of his experience but he was MI
! fortunately absent. This was a most inpor-
tant subject. Though the first outlay was
/ heavy. yet il was one Of the best means Of
/ improving soils. especially wet. hard sub soils
| Many had been able by the means to get from
two TO three tons Of hay to the acre, where
before they could get only from one>half to
one ton. So important was thus subject con-
sidered by the English government, that
they had appropriated money, and appointed
commissioners, TO promote general system
of understanding the lands to be apprais-
ed in the outset and 10 be purchased by the
government. If 10 the end the owners were
unwilling to meet the expense. This had
probably increased the value Of their land
more than any other means Of Improvement.
The various systems of draining were mem
toned care should be taken that they did
not TN up with fine soil, and become useless
The Char remarked that the meeting need
not feel confined 10 the topics sci for the eve
ming, as several gentlemen expected To speak
upon these subjects were absent
Mr.. Bccchero Of llinesburgh, said his best
days were spent as mechanic; had it been
otherwise, perhaps he should have been more
successful as farmer. He had tried plas-
ter and ashes for corn, for several wears, but
found no benefit from it, An experienced
neighbor Of his was of the same opinion r.
His method ofraising corn was--prepare the
ground-manure freely-hoe well, and keep
off the crows-and good crop generally
followed
Mr. B. said farming was the life of the
country. and he desired to see it prosper
Our farmers should be better educated. and
then they would be better prepared, not only
for their profession. but for such other bust
ness as awaited them. They would feel
more confidence in themselves, and be loorth
someihing. The jurors Of our country were
/ farmers; and the independence and integrity
of our courts depended upon that class. If
we are len 10 the mercy Of an arbitrary court
without the aid of intelligent and upright
jurors then have we no hope. If domestic
feuds,or foreign wars. overtake MS, the farm
ers are our reliance; and if they are ntelIi-
gent and yirtuous, then are we safe, at home
and abroad
Mr. Marsh thought the benefit TO be deri-
we'd from plaster depended on the soil. 90
portion of his farm, plaster would not pay
on another it would pay, at a cost of $50 per
ton Old soil, for years under the pillow, de-
rived little benefit from plaster, unless with
a large dressing of coarse manure or straw
On dry,upland soil, with a sward to act upon,
it was of great benefit 1t was also valuable
to use in the hill for corn and potatoes and
also as top dressing for grass, especially
If sown early. The farmer must experiment,
and Judge for himself
With roopoet to selling hay lwnich was
discussed at previous meeting,) he differed
a little from Senator lIotchkIss. The man
who sells portion Of his hay, is more
careful to make and save manure Better to
sell one-thlrd or one-half of the hay, and
keep the cattle from grass lands. Meadows
are often left bare in cold weather, and if
the grass Is cropped close, the roots winter
kill. II grass is ] f on the ground, 1t fills
with snow and protects the land, and it
comes out much better 10 the spring Ap
ply plaster IN the sprn1, and the old grass
readily decomposes. a great waste OF ma
nure is sustained in suf ring cattle and
sheep to run over meadows in the spring 10
save buying hay. In thus saving two hun
bred OF hay, ten hundred is lost The de-
composed grass furnishes a good top dress
ing, which saves drawing aud spreading
manure.
Mr.. Sprague recommended sprinkling
plaster on the manure as thrown from the
stable. II destroyed the scent and greatly
improved the quahty of the manure. great
saving of manure WAS To pillow 1t under as
soon as possible. Top-dressIng h. had
found of little use; 1t dried up, and parcbcd
the soil and crop with IT,.
Judge Baldwin,, of Montpelier, had been
farmer only siaco 1885 formerly mcr-
chant His health failed him, and he had
recourse to farming, with re-establishcd
health. lie recommended the free use of
clover seed IN stockng-20 lbs to the acre.
Herds grass stocking in six years did not
cut one ton TO the acre; but the clio
yer, having a iap-root, kept the ground light,
and cut two tons to the acre for years. lie
had bought no manure since the first two I
years,-and now, from forty acres, he cut I
from 60 to 100 tons Of hay, and kept forty
head of cattle Judge d. highly recommend
ed under draining on wet lands, and had
derived great benefit from cutting trenches
to turn the water over bis drier grass lands.
lie recommended the use of plaster on soil /
where there is a foundation for II to act on ; /
had derived great bensdi from spoonful in /
the hill 10 notatops and for wears after cnula j
see It's effect on the oats and grass.
Mr.. Billings, Of Mount Holly, thought co-
yer good crop for stocking. Plow deep
In France, 1t is said, they pillow II inches
Roots 90 down and get good hold, which
prevents winter killing Sow thick if not
the stalks grow so large cattle will not eat 1t
Mr. Sprague's experience had been a
gainst clover on account Of the large stalks.