Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-01-26

Ihe report OF Air. MOTIFS was read Dy
the Secretary. 1t stated that the con-
tagion of the disease was often carried in
clothes, and by putting cattle in pens and
ears which had been occupied by diseased
tattle described symptoms of persons af-
fected by using the milk of diseased COWS
mentioned modes of treatment and
stated that no i'll effects had been noted
from eating the meat of animals affected
by the disease.
The Secretary announced that owing
to the absence of Prof. Perkins, the paper
to be read by him in the afternoon would
be deferred till Friday; and the paper by
Mr.. Jameson, announced for Friday,
would be read this afternoon. The Asso.
citation then adjourned to two o'clock pm.
AFTERNOON. .s
At the assembling of the Association
in the afternoon, paper was read by L.
B. Douglass of Whiting, on Butter
making. .aE
The necessity of rational progress is no
where more apparent than that most i'm
portant of Vermont interests. the Dairy.
We c3nnot compete with the West In
cattle, in sheep, other flockmasters have
advantages that we cannot overcome. The
prosperity of the State is but the CON-
bined prosperity of individuals and as'
soeiated and persevering effort can best
secure individual success. Hence the
value of associa tions like this.
Do the pecuniary returns to Vermont
butter makers indicate any general spirit
of rational progress? Is not the condition
of Vermont daires Just about what it was
ffty wears ago? And should we rest con-
tented with this? The eagerness which
the market shows to obtain the best butter
il clear proof Of the Necessity of improve.
ment In our system.
have seen in Boston market butter
made in Dccember, for which the dealer
paid 800 per pound, while the mass OF
Vermont butter brought but one-third OF
that sum- The loss Of the State in want
of superior excellence, and of uniformity
of character of ita butter product, is to be
reckoned in tens of thousands for there
is no goo3 reason why our butter should
not equal that of Orange county. There
is chance for improvement in every detail
of the production of butter in Vermont.
How many dairymen know or pay suffi-
oie1 attention to the difference In breeds
for butter purposes? No one has ever ex
perimented thoroughly in this direction,
or even in regard to individual merits in
any one breed. What dairymen has over
experirnented in regard to food for his
cow, especially in time of summer
droughts? or tried 10 raise clover to feed
out and corn when the grass is gone ? and
vet hv proper feed az much aud as fine
/ butter can be made in July as in Septem-
her. The care of the cows ought to re-
ceive much more attention and thought
than it does. The universal practice is to
closely confine the cows in cold weather /;
but this does not conform to the best
teachings of physiology and hygiene in
regard to exercise, light, air, cleanliness,
drink and liberty of movement. There is
/ little wonder that the sons of our dairy
men seek other callings. while the present
! system with its filth and useless axpen III
/ tnre Of labor continues. Many OF the
worst objections to this system are obvi-
ated, in individual cases; but the average
practice does not change The first thing
is to fnd better plan, and my own ex-
perience indicates the following: A cow
WlIl juElNb UtiiSI Ia ptOpSiiJ 'AIAt SDCN
than in stable, for she does not need
more than protection from the weather.
shed facing the south, on ground above
the reet of the yard, large, tight-built,
with feed.rack for roots and grain to use
in storms; hay should always be given
outside, except during storms, and in
proper racks The labor of feeding is re-
duced one-half, comfort to cattle and mas
ter much enhanced, and the milk improv
ed in quality. My own experience is cor
robornted by that of others.
The most fruitful source of abuse
among the cattle is the lack of knobs on
their horns By adoption of this precaution
unruliness in herd and the tyranny of
the stronger over the weak may be pre-
vented.
Another indispensable condition for
butter making is evenness of temperature
and springs and running streams, or at
least ice, can be brought to every dairy
room, so that as much and as good butter
can be made in July and August as at any
other time The use of common pans to
get the milk renders even temperature al
most impossible; large pals should be
used, requiring less room, less cost, and
less labor, besides greatly improving the
product
As to churning the milk, how few un-
derstand the elements of the best success
or use thermometer, ice, care to secure
even temperature and agitation Most
of the patent churns are humbugs.
Uniformity in sailing is essential,
which can not be had without weighing
and attention-but how many dairymen
use either scales or care ?
Marketing of the butter might be bet
ter managed, so that good and poor should
not go TO market together and at the
same price. The test policy, when prac-
ticable-and for the man who makes the
best article is always easy-is for the pro-
duoer to sell directly to the consumer.
There is another important question of
which time will not allow discussion. II
we would improve we must understand
that improvement is necessary.
At the conclusion of Mr. Douglas pa
per, Mr.. Lewis, of Herkimer, n. z, was
called for, and taking the stand, spoke for
short time on the proper crop for soiling
cattle. He recommended every farmer
to plough up and prepare piece oonven'
lent to his barn, and SOW it to orchard |
grass or luceme, which he considered far
preferable to corn for fodder.
He spoke of a method of employing
green crops by movable fence, which
should allow but part of field to be
pastured at one time, much practised in
England and with best results, particu-
larly for sheep. For grasses, be would
recommend the cultivation of such as
were natural to the soil, and not to waste
time and money in experiments with for.
eign grasses.
Some little discussion followed upon
this subject between Mr.. Douglas, Mr..
Lewis and others, after which the Prasi-
dent announced that paper would be
read by Z. e. Jameson, Esq, of Irasburgb,
Vt, on the subject of Pastures and How