Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-02-04
TO FARMERS.
What Kind Of Produce do the
Interests of Orleans County
Require?

est OF n local newspaper lhO '''O N Z
dard. to labor for the good OF the great
est number Of its patrons; and tor the
section of country in which 1t IS sltualed'
and as much the larger number OF IN
habitants Of Orleans County are farmers
we purpose to publish a series OF articles
directed to them, in hopes thereby to
draw out from them, also, articles which
may be benefit both to US and our read
ers. I
Wnhou, discussing the question wheth-
err a mixed system Of husbandry, that Is,
one in which a variety Of crops is pro-
duced. as at present in our County, Is or
ia not. better than one in which the farm
er relies mainly on one crop, there can be
little doubt, that here, as well as in all
other sections Of the country, some one
crop Of produce must take the lead in FUR
nishinc to our farmers and the county
the amount of cash absolutely necessary
for them. Hitherto we have sent to mar
ket hor es, beef, veal, mutton, butter
cheese, pork, oats, starch, grass seed, and
sometimes wheat and other grain,without
any one kind taking the lead, sufficiently
70 attract the attention OF our farmers,
enough to induce them to study and I'M
dersiand any branch as thoroughly as they
ought, or thoroughly enough to compete
successfully with those who have paid
more attention 10 that particular branch.
Now our natures are such that we need
the contact Of mind with mind, that we
may properly improve. We need many
minds.under similar circumstances, direct
ed to the same subject that we may see
Il in all its bearings, and understand it
thoroughly. While one man raises cat
tie, wholly for the beef, his neighbor on
one side looks only for milk, at the other
for the working qualities of his oxen n
fourth stocks his farm with horses, fifth
and sixth raise sheep, one mainly for the
wool, and the other for mutton none Of
these will be likely to understand their
business as thoroughly as if all had the
same object in view, and could confer to-
gether about the best means Of bringing
about that object, and each see where the
other missed it, or excelled himself.
1t is important then that the farmers
of this county examine the matter, that
they may see in what branch of agricul-
ture they will be most likely to succeed
and best able to compete, in our markets
tCih other sections Of tie country
In former times many of our farmers
depended much upon selling grain, 10
pay their necessary bills. When the
country was new, and beef always low
when the land was wild and rough, thi:
might have been the better way. Blu
the case is now different Much of tn,
land is already in grass, the market TO
beef, butter, mutton, &C., is improved
while the price of grain is not increased
the great West supplying all our market
much cheaper than we can hope to do IN
der any circumstances, besides this, on
soil is Of such character that it wi
hardly do to impoverishlt by sending o
our grain, or potatoes to any grea
amount.
Beef and horses have been for som
time among the principal articles Of eX
port from this county, and are now pref
ably raised here. Our horses are, pei
haps, as good as any in the country. In
proved breeds Of cattle however by bein
introduced into other sections have som,
what changed our relations with the be,
markets. Ohio and Kentucky now b.
gin to supply our large cities with be-
cattle Of better quality than ours, az
owing to their shorter winters they ca
DO it much cheaper than we can.
The western States will no doubt b
fore long drive our beef from the markt
~ they have already done our pork
There is no reason in nature why the
may not do the same with horses ar
sheep. Oar winters in Orleans Coun
are nearly seven months long, while
most Of the western States they are on
about half that length When they la,
learned to take the necessary care in s
leciing and breeding the best animals tn,
will have one advantage over us viii
VIII render it impracticable to compe
with them in the production of wo
mutton, beef or horses, as well as pc
and grain.
Is there then nothing which we C;
produce better than they? Or must '
be always contented to spare the most e
terPrisingof our young people to supp
their population, for want Of remuner
tive business at home?
This question is Of sufficient impo
onoo 4o rfta~tf a., tt,,,-l.4r.l - -. 4.