Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1873-12-20
The Farmers Meetings,

AhuAoNal hStN IuibG SuNSNosluis uotu
in point of attendance and in interest
manifested.
The members Of the Board Of Ag-
ricultGre anil others who came from
abroad to attend the meetings, were re-
ceivedat the railroad station by the Of
ficersof the Farmers Club, and at the
hour for opening the session, Z p. m,
were escorted from the Lancaster
House to the Town Hall by the Cornet
Band Hon. S. w. Buffum of Winchest-
er, presided, opening the session with
some well timed remarks, concerning
the advantages to be gained by farm
ers associating themselves together
for the purpose of advancing their
own interests. Those who followed
other callings had their societies for
mutual benefit, and farmers must
have theirs as means of protection.
Much might be gained by a discussion
of the subject of farming, each one
relating his experience, and compar-
ing notes as to results.
The President then introduced Jas.
0. Adams, Esq, Secretary of the
Eoard, who gave brief synopsis of
statistics gathered by him concerning
agricultural pursuits in New Hamp-
shire during the past year: The winter
of 1928 was excessively cold and
stormy. There was but little frost
in the ground and consequently the
earth absorbed the moisture as the
snow melted in the spring, which act
cd as fertilizer to pastures and grass
lands. The season averaged
throughout the State at least ten
days later than usual. But little
grain was sowed before the first OF
May, and the 23d of May was the av-
erage time of putting seed into the
soil. The cold weather and drouth
which existed in June prevented seed
from terminating readily and it often
became necessary to re-seed in which
case an unfruitful growth was the re-
suit. Average crops were, however
realized, though not in every respect
equ al to those on which the last cen.
sus W as based, as that year-1869-
crops were unusually good. Grass was
20 per cent. better than in 1872, and
10 per cent. better than an average Of
four or five years, and the hay 10 pei
cent. better in quality than ordinarily
The advance in the hay crop was not
uniform throughout the State. Many
towns in Rockingham, Hillsborougl
aud Merrimac report the advance
while others in Cheshire and Sullivan
claim but 81 light Improvement over
the previous year. With us ebay is
king" and the smallest advance il
the am cunt for single year makes
an aggregate Of material value. Far
mers should aim to put their soil in
to condition to raise successive grass
crops, either by irrigation or tor
dressing.
The wheat crop was less than aver
age wheat-raislng is not profitable
and pays only in comparison witt
other crops, in the most favorable
! soil, and when the object is to secure
q good grass catch.
Oats were 10 per cent better thar
usual, and must be classed among tin
extra crops.
Com was only an average, ant
considering the low cost of Western
corn, improbable to raise.
Rye has not given an extra yielC
and is principally valuable for it
straw.
Potatoes, have generally given al
advance of 20 per cent. in amount an,
so per cent. in quality. 1t is rare tina
: potatoes have been so abundant il
starch. In fact all root crops shov
an unusually good yield.
Fruit is greatly deficient all owe
the State, though small fruits hav
been plenty in some localities.
The dairy products have not ex
ceeded previous years; the amount 0
butter and cheese is reported less
while the quantity Of milk sold i
, much more.
, The amount of beef and mutton fat
. tened is about on an average with tn
past ten years, while pork is consid
erably under.
c Much improvement is apparent i
G the poultry line, which has become
source of much profit.
{ The average price Of the leadin
I | onrinulturoI nrolun ionp nc ronOut N