Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-02-19

| JHE WAITsFIELD AGRICULTURAL NETTING.
I've last week gave brief synopsis of the
first days doings of the agricultural meet
ing in Waitsfeld. In the discussion Tues
day evening, relative TO fruit culture, DR..
Hoskins was the principal speaker, and
insisted Vermont could and should raise her
own fruit. He was ably seconded by Messrs
" heelock of Barre, Eldridge of Warren,
Hastings of Waitsfeld, Andrews of Berlin,
and several others. The Doctor underwent a
searching Cross examination relative to some
OF his statements; but rather seemed to
enjoy the thing, and to be ready with
reason for the faith be preached.
The first paper read Wednesday was by
ID. B. Wheelock, ESQ.,, of Barre, on g Root
Culture" IL was valuable production,
abou nding in statistics and details of expert
ments confirming the value OF the root crop
for farm cultivation. We shall soon publish
the paper in full in these columns, and will
therefore attempt no synopsis of it.
An Interesting discussion and close ques-
tioning of MIR. W heelock followed the read
ing of the paper. This discussion occupied
the entire forenoon, although during tina
time several topics suggested by the general
subject came 10 for a full share of consldera-
ton.
In reply to questions Mr.. Wheeloek stated
that ground mi hit be made too rich for roots,
causing an undue growth of tops This
would be especially the case with turnips;
while beets loved deep rich soil He would
plough Tor beets as deep as was possible with a
c mmon plough, and Lave the earth well pull
verified. Carrots and parsnips required still
deeper culture. Beets did not exhaust the
land like corn had raised them successfully
on same ground for several years. Fed the
beet leaves while green to his mich COWS,
and considered them very valuable, equal to
, the same weight of beets Turnip tops we're
Objectionable for mich cows unless 10 small
: quantities. They impaired dsagreeable
taste to the milk. Beets improved the quail
ity of mi TX for butter.
=, DR.. Hoskins would raise carrots as well as
beets, but was in favor of late sowing keep
ing the ground we'll stirred up,to the time OF
S owing, 30 as to Insure freedom from weeds.
Never had better crop than when the seed
was sown the third week in June. Would
SOW as general average about the middle of
June. Had sowed the French horn carrot as
late as July LIST, with good success In re-
gard to manure for roots, Mr.. Wheelock used
salt for beets, and well composed, but not
strong, stable manure for turnips, DR..
Hosklns favoredsuper- phosphates for turnips
and ashes for carrots, and stated that he roll
ed bis ground slightly after sowing the seeI
n. q Joslyn, Esq, believed in the early
sowing OF carrots ; he thus practiced and
had good success.
Mr.. hneelaud, who announced himself as
a disciple of Col. Wari.g of agriculture
notoriety, gave his experience in transplant
Ing beets, which was not satisfactory to him
self lie also detailed his experience in
raising thirty-two pound turnip, by con
ant hoeing and watering with soap suds
Speaking later in the discussion he protested
against storing roots in the house cellar
The odor they gave was neither pleasant
or wholesome, and in a sanitary point O.
, view he would expel roots from underneath
, the rooms OF his house. Mr. Kneeland spoke
directly to the point several times, and We
had hoped to have been furnished with a full
report of his remarks.
Mr.. Andrews OF Berlin spoke briefly but
p0intedly in favor of root culture He would
manure in the fall, and then plough the
, land. 10 the spring plough again and get
t the ground in good filth He believed in
c.eln culture AMI thorough work, instancins
l the Massachusetts, farmers near Boston mar
: ket as his models.
Other remarls were made rehe3ting upon
, the manner of Vermont farming, and tend
= ing to show our grass crops were falling off
and We as people falling behind our sister
States and the ountres of the old world
10 these f. a. E.dredge Esq, of Warrea
sp iritedly and eloquently replied, giving
most emphatic denial We were adyancin,
common observation showed it, statistics and
figures would prove it. 10 this opinion Mr.
Eldredge was supported by Prof. Collier, il
a few well turned remarks. The good things
of Mad River Valley came in for pleasant
> commentator in this connection.
" hen the meeting was about to adjourn
an invitation was extended to the board tC
$ visit n G. Joslyn's fine herd of short horns.
i The invitation was accepted, and the visit
. proved pleasant one to all.
la the afternoon an original bucolic poem
of the semi-cOmlc nature was rected by Mrs
/, Laura Brigham Boyce of Fayston The
r meeting voted the lady their thanks for tell
, ing them in pleasant verse the difficulties OF
cultivatlng the muse in an agricultural poi
of view
> E. E. Andrews, of Berlin, read a we'll pre-
pared paper on 50 Farm Buildings" which
will be given in full hereafter He was fol
lowed by L. E Jameson, of the Board Of Ag
! riculture, with paper on q Cow Stables 9
Is These two papers were then fully discussed
i many of the best farmers of the valley takin!
ID part therein.
1 We were obliged to leave for home at an
early stage of the discussion, and the gentle
K man we engaged to report the subsequen
h proceedings has failed to send in his report
!. Ill-h ealth since our return from the meetin
Is has prevented writing out so fully as we dc
es sired to do, our notes of this session of th
l. Board at Waitsfield. 1t was one of the mos
to interesting and pleasant gatherings of til
th farmers and their wives it has been gu
fortune to participate in. Good must com
from this meeting of the Board with tn
farmers # the Mad River Valley.
~ We learn that In the eyenino Hon Clar