Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1860-10-11
Improving Old Pastures

VIC copy below, Hon. Frederick Iolbrook of
Brattleboro', gives a very interesting account
Of an experiment in retaining old worn out
pasture land. Mr. IIolbrook has probably
given more attention to agricultural expert
ments than any other man in the State, and
from his large experience, whatever we get
from his pen may be relied upon.
The Improvement, within reasonable cost,
Of the old run-out pastures Of New England,
is, to my mind, an interesting subject, and
one Of the most important branches Of cult
vation our farmers can undertake. Having
had my attention directed to this subject for
several years, I have been induced to try va
rious methods for the renovation Of such
lands-thc results Of some Of which have
been given in former communications to the
Farmer. Several interesting Improvements
Of these lands are now in progress in my i'm
mediate ncighborhood and having to-day
visited some Of the fields either already made
productive as pasture, Or undergoing tillage,
10 bring them into that condition, it is now
my purpose to give the details, in part, Of
what was observed, In communication to
the Farmer, in August or September Of the
year 1856, described tract of sixty or
more acres of WORKOUT pasturc-and, then
recently purchased by cur Vermont Asylum,
the Improvement Of which had become de-
sirable object, and one in which, from some
official connection with the Institution, | felt
an active interest. This tract lies more or
less rolling, but nowhere SO steep or uneven,
as to be iuconyenient, or Objectionable for
glowing. The improvements commenced up
on it FIVE years ago have been steadily pro-
crossing SINCE in pieces Of ten to fifteen acres
each, until some of them now have sufficient
age to give them a certain character, from
which some conclusions can safely be drawn.
shall first speak Of three fields comprised
within this tract.
The first piece looked at to-day q field of
about fifteen acres, is now covered with
promising crop of potatoes Tho land was
she Oldest kind Of boundout pasture cover
cd with moss, and feeble growth of inferi-
or grasses interspersed with sweet fern, shrub
pine, and other bushes. The largest bushes
were snaked out, root and branch, by taking
cbain-hitch to them with the oxen; and
others were cut down to the ground, and the
little stumps turned under by the pillow. In
November last, the large breaking up plog
drawn by four oxen, was started, and the
land turned over about eight inches deep, in
the incest and most thorough style. In April
last it was narrowed, furrowod out in rows
enc way, three feet and half apart, and
shovel full Of compost made Of muck and
ashes, was dropped once in every three feet
in The rows. The potatoes were dropped up.
on the compost, and the planting finished a.
bout the Doth Of April. The muck used had
Jain in large pile en- dry land for year or
more; and last fall it was composted with
unleachea ashes, using about three bushels Of
ashes TO an ox-cart load, or onc-third Of q
cord Of muck. After lying in a heap few
weeks, the compost was shovelcd over, and
then cartcd upon the plowed land, and dopos-
stcd in heaps of ten to twenty loads each, at
convenient places for rcloading and dropping
in the hills at planting time.
The potatoes were hood twice, using the
horse and cutiyator between the rows at each
hooiDg. TIE tops have made large and
healthy growth; they stand about three feet
high, and spread out laterally, so as to touch
each other from row to row. The hills were
examined to-day in various parts Of the field,
and the potatoes found to be large and sound,
and promising good yield. 1t is we'll known,
that of late Je rs, our best potatoes Usually
come from these old pasture lands. The va
rietic8 planted are tho New Jersey Peach
Blow, the Davis Seeding and the Prince
Albert, Or St. Helena. The New Jersey
Peach Blow, strong growing, healthy, and
excellent variety, bears no resemblance to
the kind commonly known as Peach Blow
throughout Now England.
This piece of land is to be plowed again,
late this fall, and narrowed smooth and fnc.
On light snow in April following, it is to
be literally seeded with red and white clov-
or, herdsgrass and rcd top seeds, for pasture
No grain is to be sowed, as crop Of that
kind would draw too much from tho land
and injuro it materially for pasturago. BE.
sides, the grasses will catch better, and soon
or afford full bite Of pasturagc, if sown
alone, than they would if shaded and cncum-
tcrcl with grain crop. The old swarj
turned under, and rotted and subdued by cul
ovation, will afford nourishment to the new
grasses, and thus secure productive pasture
FOR several years.
In November coming, some fifteen acres Of
adjoining land, similar to what this piece
was, will be plowod up, and next season ma.
nured and planted with potatoes, and after.
wards seeded down to pasture If, however
experience should indicate that an additional
stimulus to the land would, on the whole be
advisable, then future fields will be dressed