The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1870-01-25
Aarifultural department.
CONDUCTED By ALBERT CHAPMAN.
Wheat Raising in Addison County.

In our article two or three weeks since
OH increasing the profits of the farm, we
stated that Addison County could raise
the wheat used within her borders mo, c
proftably than she could purchase it
abroad. We now present few facts to
prove the correctness of our statement
In the frs place labor costs no more
here than in the wheat growing regions
of the west, and certainly if we can other.
wise raise the wheat as cheap or even at
somewhat advanced cost we can raise
it here cheaper than it can be raised at
the west with the cost ola long rail road
transportation added, if there is nothing
in our soil or climate to make wheat
growing impracticable new. So far from
this being the case, We think ours is de-
cidedly, naturally a wheat growing coun-
try, and we think with more liberal use
of lipc we could renew the wheat grow
ing capacities of our soil, and with the
same thorough system Of preparation of
the soil for a seed bed for the wheat, We
could procure at least as profitable crops
of wheat as are raised in the most favored
localities at the west. The Department
of Agriculture for 1869, report the aver
age of the wheat per acre grown in the
six New England states, to be al bush.
els, while the Middle states, with Mary
land and Virginia, produced but 15I
bushels per acre, and the Southern states
produced but 1 bushels per acre, and
Illinois but II l-3 bushels per acre.
Ohio produced in 1867 but three or four
bushels per acre When did Addison
County have as discouraging an average
as that
Addison County farmers would hardly
admit that New Hampshire was more ia.
vorably situated far wheat growing than
their own section, nor do we believe she
Is. but We give Il few facts in regard to
growing this important cereal that were
brought forward at the late convention of
farmers, held at Manchester in that sta tie.
y Mr.. Bingham of Hanover raised 81
bushels per acre and he has not failed
OF Il cool crop for fifteen years. Asa
Wright for eleven years had averaged
~ bushels per acre, in one year six
acres averaged 30 2-3 bushels. Ph;la-
more brakes Eve crops averaged 20 bus.
per acre. Mr.. Bartlett, of Warren. had
grown wheat for fifteen years. He had
found it profitable and had failed only
two years.
We presume if the wheat growers of
Addison County have kept any statistics,
We can present equally as good results or
average per acrr, and we would esteem il
great favor # all those who have the
figures, to sho. what their average has
BEEN would forward them to us II we
remember Alright, during some Of the first
Year. Of the lie If our County Agricul.
tural Society there was raised crop of
over III bushels of wheat per acre in our
county, aud good many that came near
that amount.
To those who think our soils are too old
10 produce wheat proftably, we would
instance England, where few years since
the average of wheat grown per acre was
about 10 bushels, and where there is now
produced over 80 bushels per acre on the
average.
What the iarmesr of England have
done, the Yankee wit and industry of the
farmers Of New England should enable MS
TO do here. Again We say We do not
believe the Farmers of Addison County
can afford to have the wheat used within
her borders imported from the west.