National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1868-02-14
formerly almost a sand bank, but
which now yields bountifully.

COl. "A. VI. DIChcN Sdiu uc Wds III
favor OF agricultural schools and
colleges, as giving farmers the re-
suit Of careful experiments; but 1
would not have farmers neglect /
their plain common sense and eX-
perience, and cOnfine themselves to /
books. Books are useful as helps |
to good farming, but should not be /
relied Oh when they conflict with our
experience and common sense.
James McDuflee thinks the sooner
he can get his land back to grass !
after blowing up, the better. The !
one great mistake of farmers skeep- |
ing their land plowed up too long.
We farm in spots too much instead
of extending our operations over
the whole of our farms. Does not
at any time take off more than two
crops before seeding down. Thinks
we do not sufficiently pulyerize the
soil while it is up. Broke up a
piece of grass land last August after
the second crop had got well started
spread on coat of manure and
stocked Immediately, and thinks he
shall get a good crop of hay next
wear. 1t is a new experiment with
him.
ID. X. Andross thinks the urine
from stock is worth nearly as much
as the solids, and would. use saw
dust, leaves, loan, or anything
that will absorb it. Has known
good crops of grass raised on dry
knobs where the grass winter killed,
by top dressing with clear Sawdust.
Would not use stable manure for
eardeuS, as il makes so many weeds,
but use special manures instead
Does not believe there is a farm III
Bradford which $40 worth of lime
would not benefit twice its cost
/ The reason why clover Is so valua-
! bic as fertilizer is that the long
tap root runs down and brings up
| lime which makes the grass, that if
returned to the soil will enrich it as
much as a good coat Of manure. He
spoke from experience.
Jonathan johnson. Has always
been favor Of stocking with clover.
Can get as good crops after two
crops of clover as before, as the
roots decay and enrich the soil, and
sem to keep it loose and light.
Z. L. johnson. Believes manure
from the horse barn about as good
as any if properly taken care OIL
Has tried new method, viz: Break
up in the fall and take off a crop of
oats without amy manure ana then
nut on light coat OF manure and
stock down III The fall. His farm is
so fertile that he does net need any
more manure than he can make on
the farm. Mr. Us farm is rich
alluyial soil on which plaster does
bnt little if any good.-SEc'Y.l
Alba Brown. Formerly lived in
Canada. and has known large crops
of wheat being raised, III the valley
Of the st. Lawrence. on land that
was considered run out by sowing
on clover and turning 1t snder III
the summer, then sowing 1t to Wln-
fer wheat. The most successful
farmer in that section is man Who
always Sits out all the small kernels
from his grain before he Sows 1t
: and never raises the same KIND OF
grain on piece OF lanh two success
sive wears. His crops ripen more
= evenly and n week earlier than hi'
neighbours.
| II. Strickland Said the grea
, question with farmers in this stat
, is. how can we keep our money a
l home. No farmer should ever bu.
p a barrel OF flour. because that il
D seuding so much money West whel
{ if should be retained at home. w
$ can raise larger crops OF heat, Oh
Il an average, in Vermont than the.
i do out West, as the statistics VII
e show. Thinks farmers do not rais'
Y as much wheat as formerly. Ih
d great plant food of wheat Is lime
e and we should labor to get our Ian
/. into its original fertility by putin
e on lime and ashes, and blowing i
=, clover.
- J. X. Davis agreed with Col. Al
il dross that the great want OF on
J. farms is lime, or something OF
- similar nature. Is fully persuade
s. that the liquids from our stobles al
< nearly OF the same value as the so
e ids. Would prefer loan to niue
y as an absorbant; is of swcet'
ii warmer nature, and always read
If for use. Believes the best porto
$. of most of our farms lays below ii
~ . =. - n a A mud IL shnnll