Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-03-27
.-o,,ld succeed as well as to invert the

sod first.
Mr.. Douglass spoke of the disappear
ance and resuscitation of clover, the lat
ter after sowing plaster; and also of |
the appearance of clover appearing ON |
the banks of bitches through wet land.
He could not account for it, though he |
did not believe that it came without !
seed.
Mr.. Pringle, of Charlotte, said these
occurrences were not uncommon. This
was not, in his opinion, from the con-
tinuance of individual plants of clover,
which rarely last over two years, but
from the reproduction of very dwarf
plants which yet produce seed and keep |
the ground seeded. Did not think seeds
retained their vitality in the ground ma
ny years. When plaster is applied, fur
nishing the clover with the very food it
wants, these little plants hardly noticed,
take on rank growth and fully occupy |
the ground, making a dense crop. In
regard to the springing up of clover on
ditch banks, Mr.. p. said that the clover
plant seeds mainly in the aftermath, and
in the fall and winter wind, and some
times the birds, transport the seed to
many places, tending towards the low
ground, and on suitable place, not too
wet, they spring up.
The matter was discussed at consider
able length, but no different conclusions
were arrived at from those given above.
Mr.. Chapman, of Middlebury, gave
an account of his success in Maryland,
in seeding field of fifteen acres to tim
othy and redtop-without grain-turning
the old sod with double Michigan pillow
to the depth of foot, manuring liber-
ally and narrowing in the manure. The
growth of grass was very remarkable.
1t was seeded with half bushel of tim
othy seed and bushel of redtop to the
acre, sown after the harrow and then
rolled.
Hon. f. d. DOUGLASS,
of Whiting, then read his practical pa
per on :" Butter Making
Prof. Seely, of Middlebury, asked
what the change of butter by overwork-
ing, making it salyy, consisted in. 1t
was answered that the butter properly
worked presented grain which was ex-
tinguished by working too much, but
the peculiar nature of this change was
not well understood Some thought the
presence of little moisture or brine in
in the butter was essential to preserving
the grain. Many other questions upon
dairying were asked and answered, but
as the same matters have been gone
over at the other meetings of the Board
this winter, we will not occupy space
with repetitions of what most of our
readers are already familiar with.
WEDNESDAY EVENING.
The evening session was opened by
the reading of paper on ''The Potato
and its Culture" by
c. C. PRINGLE, ESQ,
of Charlotte.
PROFESSOR COLLIER
| then addressed the audience upon the
subject of agricultural Chemistry"
We have heretofore given synopsis of
this lecture, and shall before long print
it entire.
Mr.. Crane of Bridport inquired as to
the value of clover for blowing in upon
clay soils, whether it was as useful on
such land as on light soils.
Prof Collier replied that it was quite
as useful for clay soils, but the details
| of practice would have to be varied i'll
! different soils, and that even in different
seasons a more or less beneficial result
would be obtained, according to the
amount of moisture.
Mr.. Wilder of Charlotte, had plowed
! in clover on clay, and found it best,
generally, not to pillow it in deep. He
thought blowing in clover his cheapest
way for improving his land.
Mr.. Douglass of Whiting, advised on
a clay soil to invert the sod, sow to
peas, or peas and oats, harvest this crop,
| plow again and seed TO clover Though
| it is important to turn the sod back be-
! fore stocking, so as to keep the same side
up, the decomposed vegetable matter
near the surface, for grass. Like Alsike
clover mixed with grass seed, but it is
not so valuable alone, because short liv-
ed when so sown.
Mr. Crane agreed with MIR. Douglass
about the Alsike clover. 1t is an excel
lent honey plant.
Mr.. Wilder said that in digging ditch
on his land he had found living red clO-
yer roots at depth of three feet
Mr.. Merritt of Brandon, returned the
thanks of the Brandon Club to the Board
and visitors from abroad in a neat speech,
which was briefly responded to by Sec
rotary Collier on behalf of the Board,
after which the meeting adjourned.
These meetings were well attended, and
appeared to be very satisfactory to all
and Mechanics club, in whose neat and
commodious hall the meetings were held,
is live institution, of great practical
benefit, and increasing influence. Hon.
n. T. Sprague, the president of this
club, in a few closing remarks before
adjournment, enforced the lessons of
the occasion in an eloquent and effec-
tive manner. We are glad to note the
willingness of so prominent and in
fluential gentleman as Mr.. Sprague to
take hold of the work of agricultural
improvement in fraternal alliance with
the farmers and mechanics of his vi
cinity. 1t looks well for harmony and
progress.