Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-06-05
AGRICULTURAL ITEMS.


Farmers in hundreds of localities might
have fish ponds. from which to get an ample
supply Of fish food rs easily rs they now do
eggs from their hcnnerics.
The long hours of what is too often almost
unremunorative toll on the farm, turns
stores, offices, ETC., etc. Sometimes they
better themselves, but oftencr they do not
and become demorllizcd and fitted for
everything hut that of earning an honest
and honorable livelihood.
Mr.. Albert Fearing, of Plymouth County
Mass, from three-fourths Of an acre of
mangel wurzcs produced 3SI tons, value
$40 per ton. 1886; cost 8 cords of manure,
800; seed, So blowing, 81; cultivation.
Sl6.5O; harvesting, Sl2; total. $l9I.50; net
profit, S2G0.50 This is at tho rate of l,7Os
bushels, or sly tons, per acre, Mt profit OF
S347.33
Improve your farms, level the rough
places, remove the crooked fences, rid the
fields Of stones aud other membranes,
utilize every rod of ground lest it become
prolific source of pestiferous weeds, fertilize
the soil, and make two or more blades of
grass grow where but ono grew before, and
ii will be money in the pocket, and pleasure
and qualification in the barn, the stable, and
the dwelling.
In Great Britain it has been found that
soils which have been drained are not only
much more easily worked, but also that
earlier and more certain harvests are secur-
ed. that manures give better results. that
fallows are not so much needed, and that
the character and quality of the crops rails
ed are greatly superior to what they were
before tho land was drained. Similar favor
able results have been obtained in other
countries where u thorough system of dram
age has been put into practice.
Losses in cattle and sheep by death and
depreciation in condition and production,
the past winter, are very much less than in
the previous winter, east of the Rocky
Mountains, and much greater west. They
donot exceed those of the winters of 1872
-73, in any county reported in New En-
gland. and in more than five-siNths they are
returned either less than last year, or less
than average. In Maine, Sagadahoc, never
less in New Hampshire, Carroll, less than
for years; in Vermont. Addison. of cattle,
rs per cent less; of shoop, 30 per cent. less.
-Departniem Report.
A correspondent of the Rural Ne,O York.
or speaking Of potatoes, says Among the
new sorts, Comptons Surprise had such an
ugly look (the skin being dark, BLUSH pur-
plc) that almost condemned 1t at first sight.
by referring 10 the advertisement of the
ealer from whom l received my stock, us
well rs the description given this vari-
ETY. by the originator, l noticed that
not one word WAS said about the col
or of the skin although the variety was high
ly commended for its beauty, all of which
looked suspicious at least. But concluded
to plant what had, and learn from expert
ence whether il was good or bad. The yield
proved to be satisfactory, and this sort was
stored in the cellar along with several 9TH
ers, but none were cooked until towards
spring, when to my surprise found we had
been noglocting TO test the very cream of the
collection in anything except color. OF
course, potato of the color of Compton's
Surprise can never become popular for mar
kct and rs every farmer expects 10 have u
few to spare, he will choose varieties that
look well even If not OF superior quality.
This variety Is appropriately named tho
"Surpise," for il is one of tho blacklist,
demonstrating sorts on tho outside ever
saw; but when boiled the inside is like n
ball of tho whitost wheat flower.