Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1867-11-29
Westminster Farmers Club.
NOVEMBER l8.

NONEMbEk 10.
The first meeting OF the season for dis.
cussion was opened by the President, N
g. PiERcE, Esq. by pertinent remarks in
regard to the benefit derived from free
interchange Of the views and theories Of
farmers touching the various and multtu-
dinous topics connected with their calling
which was listened to with much interest
and pleasure.
Farming and k-raising-the subject
adopted at a former meeting for discussion
was then taken up. d. c. WRIGHT spoke
of the necessity of thoroughly cultivatiua
and pulverizing the soil to insure good
crops and stated that he usually hoed his
corn but twice, admitting however that
more hoeirg would have returned larger
yield. In regard to phosphate had used il
upon grass land and on corn in the hill
and from his experiments could discover
no good results, and the only place where
he thought he received remunerative
benefit was upon old pasture land plough.
ed for corn.
w. II. KMBALL had used phosphate
mixed with wheat bran and alone. He did
not find it when used alone as good as
when mixed, and by experimenting with
the same believed that phosphate used by
itself not as good as bran alone. C1
PLINY Fisher spoke upon thorough
cultivation and conceded with remarks OIL
Mr.. WRIGHT had made kind of phos-
phate from the scrapings under his stables
and about his yards which after being
mixed with chaff and other material and
thoroughly fermented applied it to his corn
in the hill (applying no other manure) and
from which he had raised his best corn the
past season. % a
In regard TO stock.-N. FISHER said il
was difficult to decide what kinds of stock
it was best or most profitable for farmers
to raise. The price of sheep and wool
was now very low and perhaps had reach,
ed the lowest point. The prices of cattle
were high, but he thought not caused by
any scarcity of cattle through the coun.
| try, and thought it not best for the farmer
to change from sheep to cattle or vice
versa in times of depression or initiation
| In regard to the appearance and beauty Of
stock, it depended as much if not more
upon the keeping than upon the breed
| and he would like to see some Of our old
| native stock kept as we'll as we are in the
habit Of keeping our fancy-blooded stock.
w R. KIMBALL thought perhaps we
were overstocked with sheep, and if SO a
change TO more cattle would be beneficial
to the farming interest. In regard to
blooded stock, thought the horse in par
ticular should be bred from full hoods
There are three kinds of horses we ough,
TO raise. The large, strong draft horse
the carriage or driving horse, and the
horse for speed alone. Either of these
styles could be better obtained by breed.
ing from full bloods. He expressed the
fear that the horse might depreciate in oul
State from the sale and export of our best
blooded mares.
The President then gave an interesting
account of a visit he lately made to the
noted farms of Chenery, Adams and 9TH
ers of Belmont, Mass, and also to the
Consul Jarvis farm of Weathersfield, VT.
He thought cross of our native with the
Jersey stock would be better for us here
than the full blood. The Dutch cattle
need careful handling, as they were high
| spirited and would not bear abuse. Other
members of the club present added to the
interest Of the discussion by valuable re.
marks and suggestions upon the points
above alluded to, which for want of time
and space the secretary reluctantly omts
Next meeting of the club, December I'd
| A. GooDRIDGE. Asst Sec.