Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-06-23
Farm and FzreSlde.


y great many good larmcIs often have
strong desires To try experiments, and a
large proportion of the articles contributed
10y them to the agricultural press contain
the so-callcd results of these different trials
with manures, seeds and what not. This
spirit is highly conmcndable, inasmuch as
ii gives evidence of advancement ON the
part of the farmer, shows that he desires to
throw brain work into his farm work, and
regulate some of his operations at least by
the highest intelligence he possesses. But
after all we doubt very much if all the OK
periments ever tried by all the farmers in
New England have ever settled disputed
point in agricultural economy, or estab-
lished n rule of operation to be generally
followed by our farmers with the feeling
that like results could be produced. Moth
ing in the way OF agricultural experiments
has ever been attempted in the United
States, to our knowledge, that will at all
compare in thoroughness or far reaching
results, with those made during the past
thirty years at Rothamstead, England. by
Messrs. Lawes and Gilbert. Where eX-
periments are made reaching over period
Of fifteen years, to ascertain II single point
in the cultivation of a single grain, or for
period OF eleven years to ascertain the value
81 certain substances in the iattening of
pigs, with the most minute records ofevery
point and condition in the proceedings
and when these are regarded as incom-
plete, what must our farmers think of the
little experiments they conduct--almost al
ways confined to Il single year-and the
results" of these little trials about which
they talk?
Prof Voelcker, who has conducted some
Of the most important agricultural expert
mcnts in England during the past dozen
years, published some years since in the
journal Of the Royal Agricultural Society,
the conditions to be observed in carrying
ont agricultural experiments in the field,
the opening statement of which is; "To
perform really instructive experiment in
rational manner, is "a far more difficult
matter than many people seem to be aware
Of; indeed, if we review the published ac-
counts Of many experiments, it cannot but
strike MS that most of them were under
taken without any definite object" And
yet this was said not of American, but of
English experiments. With how much
greater force can the remark apply to our
own aimless, hap-hazard, defective expert
ments, about which so much is often said.
TO guide those, however, who wish to con-
duet some experiments, and who POSSESS
that amount of intelligence and patience
necessary for the task, it may be well to
call their attention to the conditions to be
observed as laid down by Prot. Voelcller,
giving them in the breicst form possible.
/. Experiments should he made within a
narrow space. While the extent of the area
must be determined somewhat by the ma
ulre Of the crop, it may he safely said that
the twentieth part of an acre is generally
sufficient.
>. The field selected should be level, uni
form in quality, and in good condition.
Something should be known of the land
for some years previous-what manures
have been applied to it, and what crops
taken of. The trial Of certain kinds OF
fertilizers often prove nothing, because the
land upon which the experiment was made
was at its highest pitch Of excellence be
fore, 40 that no further application of ma
nure could produce any result
g. In experiments with manures, regard
should be had to the time and mode OF
making the application. Some field trials
ought TO he commenced in autumn Others
should be reserved for the spring months
ON grass lands experiments should com
mence in the fall-for on such land it is
desirable to try the effect Of manures that
are abiding in their action, that become
soluble in the soil gradually, and are moi
rendered available so soon as other ma.
nnres. In all experiments with fertilizers
especially with concentrated manures care
should be taken to secure their uniform
distribution. All such fertilizers should b,
applied by weight.
4. Experiments should be made as simple
as possible. The great fault is that most o
them attempt too much, Let experiment
be made to embrace as few points rs con
sistent.
.. In all experiments with manures, re
serve two or three plots on which no ma
nure il applied.
q. Note every peculiarly of the season.
whether wet or dry. cold or warm, early ol