The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-04-03
WEDNESDAY EvE'G, APRIL 8, 1872.
THE FOUNDATION OF GOOD FARMING.

THE FOUNDATION OF GOOD FARMING
5. w. Stebbins, Portland, N. Y.-As
long ago as the time of Virgil, it was held
that the foundation of good farming was "a
have big dung-hill. | propose to show
now We'ln Chautauqua country are effect t.
ing this desirable object. First, our farm.
ers, especially dairymen, find it profitable
10 BUY western corn /; the manure thus
gained, at least, is cleaf profit. This alone
IN time must result in transferring the fer
tllity OF the West to the hills of Chautau-
qua. l have strip of ground, with a
renee on the south, much haunted by the
sheep, which has become rich. | intend
TO move this fence, SO this rich piece shall
go into meadow, and the sheep may fer
tlllze another strip. We are working
gradually toward soiling. Nearly all feed
corn-fodder through the latter part of the
summer, and many stable their cows
nights through the entire summer. feed
ing meal until something green grows
large enough to cut. | stable my cows,
using forest leaves, scrapings from the
wood-shed. &C., for bedding, which gives a
large pile OF summer-made manure. In
scraping together absorbents for the stable.
the great thing is, to be thoroughly imbued
with the precept shat every little helps
make muckle." | have been feeding
each COW two quarts of meal day this
winter, and find they eat hay, and even
straw, clean, and do better than when al
lowed to pick over and waste it, without
meal. SO long as butter and meal bear
their present relative price, the farmer who
Keeps cows may fatten both his wallet and
his land.
PROFIT IN PLASTER.
A correspondent who did not seem will
ing to sign his statement spoke i'll of plas-
ter, and denounced its general use. The
day he thinks is not very far distant when
conclusive evidence will be given that by
its application to land farmers will be an
nually out just the amount the article costs.
Take field of say ten acres of corn or
clover and apply plaster to it in alternate
strips OF say ten feet in width, and the
held will not produce one bushel of corn
OF 100 pounds of hay more by the applica-
tlon. just to the extent that the dressed
portion of the field is benefited the un-
dressed portion will be injured by it's show
ing conclusively that plaster acts on the
principle of robbing Peter to pay Paul,
which would run them both into the
ground. Or, in other words, that one
half OF the crop cannot be enhanced by the
application, unless it is done at the ex-
pense OF the other halt. Now, if this be
true OF one field, why will not the theory
hold good for 100, 1000, township, or
county?
Mr.. Bragdon--I know perfectly well
that if | use plaster grow richer, and nv
neighbor, who neglects to use plaster, |
grows poorer. have had experience, and |
iound the expenditure of S. or SO per acre
Tor plaster money well invested.
DR.. Sylvester-Our farmers in Wayne
county are very partial to plaster, and
hoard 1t as they would money. 1t may be
called an absolutely essential part of our
farming. It is applied to clover and grass
lana IN spring, 1t is also used with manure
TO Tx the ammonia. l. am satisfied that by
using 1t frequently with stable manure the
value OF the dung-heap is increased fully
one-third. Alone, or mixed with ashes, it
rs applied to corn in the blade, and always
adyantageously.
TWENTY COWS ON TWENTY ACRES.
A Bourbon county, KY, correspondent:
Experienced farmers say that it requires
three acres of bluegrass to keep a single
bullock. On this he will thrive from the
LIST OF May until the LIST of December. save
during two months. from the middle of
July to the middle of September. during
which time he will put on but little flesh
The corn grown upon another acre (say 60
or 70 bushels) will keep him in good condi-
ton and improving from the LIST of Decem-
Der to the LIST of May. Thus, you will see.
under our system it requires four acres of
land worth 500 per acre to fatten single
bullock. 1t has occurred to me we might
do much better by adopting the eastern
system OF soiling, as l have been told
that by this system an acre of land capa-
BILE of yielding rs bushels of corn will
support one or even two or three head of
cattle throughout the year. VIII some
member of the club familiar with the sub
!ect state what amount of such land would
be required to support 20 head of cattle
Or mich cows, in what it should be planted
1t what times the different crops should be
sown and cut, and how many acres should
be devoted to each. 5
Mr.. Stewart-Twenty acres of land. !
With proper system of stall-feedng. has !
'ften supported as many head of stock. /
md on such land as will produce rs bushels c
II corn per acre will do it at any time. !
)ne-fourth of the land should be in roots.
'ne-fourth in corn, fourth in fodder
rops, as peas and oats, rye for early =
eed in spring, clover or lucern, and the
'ther quarter in hay. Experience will
Don enable any necessary changes to be !
made to suit such circumstances as will
rise from unknown conditions. Read
Quincy on Soiling Cattle" J
BERRIES FOR BOSTON. l.
A. Rowe, Stoneham, Mass, wrote that a
re wishes to raise raspberries for the ii
Athens of America. The Athenians an
reciate good thing, and are willing to
ay the price. Mr.. RS land is deep sandy =
pam, pretty rich with manure. He de- I
Tres to consider size and quality of the ]
rmt in connection with productiveness and
ardlness. What sorts shall he grow ? =
MIR. Fuller-The Philadelphia would =,
robably be hardy in Massachusetts, but 1
ne fruit is only of medium size, dark. dull h
urple color, and only second rate in auali- Is
7. The Monmouth cluster is black a. a.
aspberry and will not command so large n II
rice as the red sorts. The plants, how a
yer, are hardy and prolific. The Clark is y
splendid variety, very large, and of light d,
rimson or scarlet color. 1t is also one of al
ardiest of its class, but it would not be @,
afe to leave the canes unprotected in the Of
cinity OF Boston. If our correspondent a,
esTes to cultivate varieties that will COM W W