Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1873-04-04


of sugar from maple. The way il should
be done in each case is to he rs quick MS pos
siblo. Since hearing so much about the profit
of feeding meal to cows have been making
some estimates. Suppose n man feeds four
quarts Of meal day to ten cows, that would
be about nine bushels per week, and from
March to June would amount to 100 bushels
Tor ten cows, or the same rs $lOs Now If
he makes five pounds butter per week-a
good average-it would he for ten cows so
lbs, or $50 for the thirteen weeks during
which meal is fed, amounting at 30 cents per
pound to Sl95. Taking out the Sl0s for cost
of meal, leaves SS7 for cost of hay and use of
cows. do not believe in these high state
ments; no lbs. OF butter year for each cow
is more than nm average. Butter can be made
cheaper than by making it in winter upon
meal and hay The time to do it is in sum
mcr upon grass. If | was going to get the
greatest results from any number of cows,
would have them come in in April, and
make my 10 lbs butter before the first of
November. No doubt you can make Ms
much butter in winter by high feed, but the
trouble is it costs too much.
A. Il. llovey: If did not get any more
butter by my way of treatment than should
by adopting my brothers plan, yet should
continue feeding grain, for every one knows
that it is cheaper to keep cows on one-third
meal than all hay. Also in my way you can
raise better calves, and it is n better time to
make butter in spring, and it sells better ut
| this time than any other.
f. l.. Hovey: The question just spoken on
is one in which the farmers of Vermont are
deeply interested. There is one fact to which
| would call your attention. To make good
cows 1t Is necessary that they be MIXED the
longest possible time. In Kentucky where
they breed for beef, principally, allowing the
calves TO run with the cows all summer, they
have very inferior mixers. If you intend to
make good COW from heifer, you should
not allow her to go day longer than can be
avoided. Have them come in early, so they
need not be MIXED very late in the fall, and
in this way they will be in good condition for
wintering
$. Owens | will say that have attended
these meetings pretty steadily, and have new
er enjoyed myself better than during these
discussions When have said anything up
on the questions have considered il pretty
weak, aud guess the others have will
| give my opinion rs to what breed of horses
consider best for us to raise, and that is the
Morgan in connection with the Hambletoni-
an. This gives size and swi1ness to the
Morgans. which are already strong and
healthy Here Mr.. Owens read description
of this breed from II census of New York in
which they were highly rscomm ended.
W. NJ. Hovey: | am not much of public
speaker, and am rather diflident before these
Daniel Websters and Horace Greeleys. But
il ever made any money it was from cows,
and it was done by keeping them well before
calving, and in fact generous feeding all the
time. When lived in Kirby had ten cows
commenced TO make butter in March, and
made 100 lbs. in that month, 200 IN April,
and in May MIXED all the ten cows and
made 800 lbs. Whenever have COW that
will not, during the best of the season, make
pound Of butter daily, | let the butchers
have her rs soon as possible. There may be
something in what brother Jacob says, in case
you have Durham cows, you cannot increase
their milk much by any means The idea of
wearing out cows by mealing them is all
nonsense, but there are good many worn
out for the want of meal. | have COW 10
years old this spring that has been mealed
| well ever since | knew her. and never did
better than the past season, and she is good
for four years more. | bellows there is q
great deal in the gentle treatment of cows.
Rough treatment will decrease the quantity
to II great extent.
j. &. Smith My subject is " Farmers
Homes There is where we spend greater
part OF our time and we should make il rs
pleasant and beautiful rs possible. Home is
the dearest spot on earth. Many of us are
apt to have too many hard jobs to attend to,
so that we neglect great many of these lit
tie things, which if cared for would tend to
make our surroundings much more pleasant
and convenient 1t requires but little time
and expense to set out shade trees about our
dwellings which in few years will add so
much to their appearance. What is it. that
makes some homes look so attractive to us
as we ride through the country? 1t is the at
tention TO u great many little improvements
and repairs about the dwellings, setting out
trees, making a neat, clean front yard, and
having everything arranged in order. think
there is great chance for Improvement in
these respects, and as we are growing older,
let us omit some of our hard work, and at
tend more to these little conveniences. Also
in regard to our fields; we can improve them
in appearance, and ease Of cultivation. II
we think little we can see where the inside
of our dwellings can he bettered and made
more handy. Many farmers families are
crowded into an unsightly kitchen where
they have to spend their evenings and leisure
time, in some cases without many useful
hooks or papers. We should aim to have
our houses well furnished, and allow our
children tree access 10 every convenience,
and train them to use things properly. Train
them to be familiar with the customs and
usages of good society, so they will not APP
pear awkward when abroad.
w. NJ. Hovey: ] say let every farmer ed
ucate his boys; givol them good education,
and then let them choose for themselves
Don't try to make farmers OF them against
their will. DO not try to increase the num-
Der of the tillers of the soil, there are too
many of them now to make the business pay
as well us it ought to.
A. Cheney Mr.. Hovoy is right. Give the
boys good education, then they are fit for
farmers or mechanics, or anything they may
choose. DO not try to keep them too close,
but let them have an insight into the evil as
well as the good that they may learn to use
discretion.
Next week the Secretary is to make a list
Of subjects to be used promiscuousy by the
speakers II. RIsLEY, Sec.
Reported for the VERMONT FARMER
LOWER WATERFORD FARMERS,