Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1873-03-14
Westminster Farmers Club. Feb. rs

Subject: hat can oest Do done Tor
the agricultural interest of Westmin-
sterp
N. G. PIERoE-It is more than usual
ly embarrassing for me to introduce this
subject, since it is one upon which
great diversity of opinion is likely to be
expressed, and a great number of plans
suggested for the successful prosecution
of the business of farming. You are
all well aware that / am of the opinion
that the dairy business offers the strong
est inducements of any branch of farm
ing now being prosecuted by she farmers
Of Westminster. Having resolved to
prosecute this speciality of our business
the question, How shall we proceed ?
presents itself, LIST, We must have the
proper means and appliances. I'd, We
should procure the best cows in the mar
ket. To my mind those belonging to
the Ayrshire breed are among the best.
Some of the Durhams are good mixers,
but are more especially noted for beef.
All of the notoriety of the Ayrshire COW
belongs to the Dutch. The course that
has been pursued to produce the Short
Horn cattle has had tendency to re-
duce the former milking qualities so
much that there are but few of the
branches of that stock that are what
they should be and might be, for the
dairy. Think if we are going into the
dairy business we had better return to
the pure Dutch cattle, cross with the best
natives and others for milk, not forget
ting to look for the Jersey. The cattle
brought here by Jarvis were large and
of excellent beet qualities, and some of
them made good cows, but were more es-
pecially noted for their quick motion.
The oxen were good workers, would walk
nearly as fast as horses. For good milk
ers would get the best Holstein blood,
then cross with the Jersey. Think we
had better go into the dairy business. |
purpose to try it for time, at least
P. d. KEYEs-To my mind the first
thing to be done for the agricultural in
terest of this town, or any other, is to
keep up the farms, improve the soil and
the methods of management. How we
shall do it is question upon which we
may differ, for the best of reasons. We
are differently situated, and see things
from different standpoint. / think
we should feed all our grain. Others
have not practised it, and perhaps think
differently. Mr.. Pierce has spoken OF
stock. agree with him that we should
procure the best, but as to what consti
tutes the best, | am not prepared to say
Think, however, that prefer the Dur
ham, but we should not all go into this
specially. For some the grades are
more desirable. Think it will pay well
to raise some tobacco, but would moi
make it a speciality. In regard TO the
means of keeping up the soil, think il
advisable for us to purchase ashes. The
patent phosphates are nearly all taken
from the soil by the first years crop
Twelve dollars worth of ashes per acre
for the first five years increase every
crop, and thus increase our fertilizine
material. Ashes are second to none, ex
cept yard manure, as fertilizing mate
rial. Corn and oats are good, but clover
is an excellent crop, in fact, the best
Would not raise roots; they draw tot
heavily upon the soil. In seeding lane
would SOW herdsgrass, clover and red
top. If l owned hill farm would try
witch-grass Have seen it tried, anC
with good success. In regard to tllline
the soil, we usually plough once for plant
ing; think twice or three times much
better. By ploughing Immediately after
the hay is taken off, the old grass roots
commence to decompose soon after
Plough again just before winter, letting
the pillow run little deeper. Then ma
nure in the spring and plough again
This stirring the soil enriches the land
Plain land may be greatly improved by
this method. Do not think it advisable
for US all to so into the dairy bushes.
or the business of raising cattle. Some
farmers can make more money raising
sheep; their farms are better adapted tC
them. Stock of any kind should never
be allowed to run down, but should be
kept up, even if you are obliged to feed
grain. Think we had better raise pork
enough for our own COZ sumption more
than that is uphill business.
GEORGE SABrN-Mr. Reyes has ably
discussed this subject Mr.. Pierce has
handled the dairy business. l agree with
both, for | believe the different methods
may be managed with profit. Circum.
stances adapt us to different kinds Of
business. One men can raise cattle, an.
othes sheep, and be equally successful
but let them change farms, each keeping
l. = Il l. IA L d.