Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-01-01
Bethel Items.

pounds Of butter and seventy OF cheese
in the month of November, from two
cows-what kind of cows they are, how
he feeds, etc. / shall DO very happy to
answer the above question and will so do,
to the best of my ability. In regard to
the cows, they are OF the native breed,
dark red, and their girth is about six feet !
they possess a beauty and gracefulness OF
form that will please the eye of any
sculptor. The last of September COM
menced to feed on squash and pumpkins
a variety which does not grow SO large as
the old fashioned pumpkin, but which are
of much superior quality they are very
yellow and rich, and are considered by
my beiter-half rs being quite equal TO the
squash itself for making pies. The first
of November | added to this feed, three
qua. Is of corn meal, 10 each days feed
per COW; pursued this course mp 10 the
present time, and am prepared to say that
| not only get more milk but better
quality. think the feed on which n cow
is kept, has marked influence not only
on the quality and quantity Of the butter
she will yield, but on the time in churn-
ing. 1t shorts and corn meal be given to
the cow in connection with potatoes or
pumpkins, the cream will be Of better
quality, and will be more easily churned
than that made from potatoes and hay
alone. remember, when was a Wee
bit of boy, OF hearing Dca. Elijah
Bartlett say to one of his brother farmers,
who was one day complaining because
his crop Of potatoes did notcom in rs well
rs his neighbour C.'s-on being asked how
he planted them. said he put them on q
pleceof ground where oats were raised the
year before, with no dressing. Ali! said
the Deacon, with a hearty chuckly. pota-
toes are not fools. Sure enough, the same
may be said in regard to cows. 10 is n
fact that the influence Of poor keeping,
on the quality OF milk, is question not
very well understood or appreciated by
the majority OF farmers. Our friend
wishes to know if | will sell, at what
price, and whether the praise is due TO
the cows or my wife. will say, much
credit is due to both. think. my friend,
that there is the expy ession of the wise
desire in the words of the old familiar
song,
"a good COW well fcd,
4 little farm well titled"
And that very necessary adjunct to both
these
"a little wife well willcd
Give me give meP
Now. Mr.. Editor believe we have but
n few farmers who can tell how much it
costs to make quart OF milk, pound of
butter or beef, and how much of it is
labor Or what is the difference in the
cost of beef, grass.ied or stabilized? or
how much they can afford 10 pay for
manurcs in different localities, and for
what crops? As regards the cows. they
both were raised OH my farm; the oldest
one now being seventeen years, bright
and hearty. and gives now ten quarts OF
milk per day We do not wish to sell this
year. having refused one hundred dollars
piece for them several times.
The lst Congregational society are
about TO put pipe organ into their
church. The organ they propose to
purchase, will cost about thirteen hundred
dollars. We hope soon to hear the organ
notes swell, where now is heard the
trembling keys of the melodeon.
Stephen b. Foster Il CO., formerly of
the firm OF Foster Il Goodwin, have filed
up the store on Church Street. lately
vacated by Dr. G.. r. Wiley, druggist,
with n splendid assortment of boots and
shoes. Those wishing anything in this
line can buy OF them at reasonable rates.
Bethel has now two of the. finest and
best filled apothecary stores in Oxford
County.
The Rising Star Lodge is in flourish
ing condition. It's members now number
one hundred and sixty. and are still
increasing every week. &.
The North Oxford Teachers Associat ion,
at its last meeting, was addressed by Mr.
H. F. Howard, of Dixfcld, in very instruc-
tive lecture upon the Gulf Stream and its
influence, followed by vcryanimated dis
cussion on the practice ofawarding prizes.
Mr.. a. w. Valentine, aft. ; +. S. Brown.
negative. q A. Robertson. Esq, made
a very earnest appeal in behalf Of the
negative, and was answered rs warmly
but rather teebly, by person claiming to
be on the affirmative. Then Mr.. ii. w.
Chapman read very interesting essay,
on School Duties. Then adjourned. These
meetings arg. very interesting, and are
attended by large number of teachers.
Our first meeting has not been noticed
yet, as we had no lecture, although the
topic discussion first, and afterwards
finely written and able paper, furnished
by Mr.. L. lannon's. caused us to forget
the lecture. and kept us till a late hour
NOrUdy Items.