The Rutland weekly globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-02-06
From tie Globes Special Reporter
Meeting al tho Vermont Board of
Agriculture.
VERGENNEs, Feb. 3.

Meeiing az tho vermont Hoard Ot
Agriculture.
VERGENNEs, Feb. 3.
The afternoon session commenced with
an assembly of about sixty citizens of the
county.
Gen. Geo w. Grandey, WAS elected
chairman OF the meeting, and with few
spirited remarks took the chair and intro
ducel Dr. Virgil w. Blanchard of Middle
bury who proceeded to read paper upon
"mechanical appliances"
The view presented showed that the far
mer is at the present time much less
slave TO nature and its tickle control than
ever before. Flood, frost, drouth, storm
and tempest, marked him prey in former
times
From 1850 mechanical appliances be-
came utilized in the mower, reaper, thrash
cr, raker, steam plow, and other ways, so
that the brute force Of the horse and OK be-
come more proii'ably directed by human
Intelligence. The ideas had existed in Il
crude state before but were not fully de-
ycoped
The harvest of grain by the present
method of using perfect reaper, that gives
ease and confidence to the employer was
compaed TO the former method Of harry
esting ty the use Of the sickle, where hu-
man endurance was taxed to the uttermost
and the exhausted bodily vigor precludcd
any active profitable thought.
The improvements possible in the horse
rake were mentioned as desirable, so that
the level dry hay shall be gathered, cooked
and lett in symmttrical heaps in one opera
ton
The horse power should be so improved
too, that it shall not cost over $50, be light
strong and easily managed, and adapted 10
more work Of The farm, so that the wood
for fuel shall De all wrought by its use,
also thrashing churning, cutting of feed,
etc
Wind, as a source Of power, was referred
to and its possibilities set forth.
The only obstacle to mans supremacy
over the forces of nature, is his lack of ap-
probation Of his own mental power when
his intellect is thoroughly cultivated.
Now the farmer is fully engaged in ac
quiring material instead Of intellectual
wealth.
The domination of the agricullurist Is
sure to be fact, for two reasons
First-They are numerically in the ma
jority.
Sccond-Becqusc his close communion
with nature develops his mind to receiy,
right and just impressions, that as hi
leasure gives him time to assimilate vii
lead him to work in harmony with nature
God
The discussion followed, led by l.
Wright of Cornwall, who rejoccd that h
was here to hear the address, and sympa
thized with everything that elevates tn
farmer
lie spoke of the horse rake that enable
the boy of the farm and even lady to tax
pleasure in gathering the harvest of hay,
u Jameson, spoke of the elevation O
the farmer depending upon the continuou
education of the child.
When the child is young we take pleas
ure in teaching it, but as its questions be
come more difficult to answer, we becom
less inclined to answer them, and really th
boy from fifteen to twcnty-one, learns les
than during the same time earlier in life
At this age he should learn all the practici
work of the farm, the buying, selling an
breeding of cattle, sheep and stock of a
kinds the sowing culture and harvestin
of all crops the manufacture of butte
and cheese. All progress depends upon
better understanding of all our duties, an
the way to perform them.
Prof Collier urged the Importance {
forming habits of observation Of nature {
facts In relation to all the developments
the seasons, crops and forces of nature.
Mr. l. L Wright mentioned the plowin
Of wet land into beds and plowed by accl
rate measurements of two rods in wldt
and was guided by stakes. lie found I'M
this mechanical appliance gave him gre'
satisfaction in the finishing Of his lands.
DR. IIoskins spoke of the and to the farm
, er of accuracy in his planting and In
: his methods.
Mr.. Goodale, of Bidport, mentionC
, that there was two classes of arstocrat
Those who have Il manly pride in their i
Dor, and the other class take pride In idl
, ness.
/, He then asked how land can be restore
5 that is very poor, lie intends to plow
> some crop and loose the use OF the lan'
! Now what crop is best to plow in
DR., Hoskins was appealed TO, and sa
I'that on light soil, sorrel could be plow'