Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-11-20
THE REMOVING OF STONES.


THE REMOVING OF STONES.
The thrifty farmers need to seldom be
idle for the want of something to do. In
the intervals of time not necessary to bestow
upon the general labor of the farm, oppor.
tunities are afforded for repairs and perma.
nent improvement, and perhaps nothing
comes more appropriate under this head than
the disposal Of stones, on farms encountered
with them, and there arc comparatively few
farms in this region but have greater or
less supply. Next to the removal of the
original forest is the disposal of the stones,
in point of labor and importance, and about
as necessary for the permanent usefulness of
the land under cultivation.
Hardly anything can be more disagreeabe
than continually working among stones, plow-
ing, narrowing, cultivating, hoeing or dig
ging; still letting thom remain a continual
detriment to good husbandry and perma-
Dent witness against the bad management of
the farmer. We sometimes see farms of this
description and do not wonder that the owner
grumbles about his occupation and says it
uoeS uOt pay
We quite agree with him under the cir.
cumstances, but think if he had pursued a
different course it might have been other
wise 1t is almost a herculean task to un-
dertake to find a farm badly encountered
with stones, aud put them in a shape so as
to be Of use and not q continual detriment.
1t is a task that cannot usually be accom-
plishod in one year, but must extend over an
indefinite length of time, as nearly every
time the land is plowed a new supply is
brought to the surface and there is only now
and then a field that can be successfully
cleared during one common rotation Of crops.
Wherever the large stones can be taken off
the land, this is a work that will not have
to be repeated, but on stony ground it will
be found difficult getting rid Of the smaller
ones so completely, as there will be more or
less coming to the surface every time the
land is plowed, leading US often to wonder
where so many came from. If pains were
taken when plowing to remove all from the
burrows, there would be but little trouble
afterwards, but this is not often done. The
stones should be removed from the surface
every time previous to plowing, if this hap
pens to be two or three times in the season,
where it is desirable to rid the land Of them
so far as possible.
With stones that can be conveniently
handled it is only question Of time and labor
IN getting them pretty nearly off the land,
but with those that are large and cannot be
managed with the common teams Of the
farms, the case is different.
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Of the fields very much, and are continually
in the way of farming operations, besides
taking up more or less land. How to get
rid ol them is the question: and this is often
difficult case to decide. Where they can
be raised with prizes and drawn off the field
with two or three pairs of oxen or horses, on
a stone boat, this is the most expeditions
method.
Machines on wheels for raising and con-
veying the rocks where wanted, with those
Of such size as cannot be very well managed
in the common way, do excellent service.
There are also machines for lifting the stones
out Of the ground, which if too large to be
moved in the ordinary way can be blasted.
But these are at the command of but few
farmers and other means must be devised.
Where stones are not too hard they can be
broken up to a convenient size by blasting,
and when thus treated make excellent mate
rial for field wall or building purposes.
When very hard a fire built on them will
generally break them to pieces, especially if
water is poured on them when well heated.
What to do with stones on our farms is
another question. While we pursue our
present custom of farming we must have
fences, and where well built walls are con-
suucted these answer the purpose admira-
bly,. There is no outlay for material, and in
getting the stones off the land and made into
good substantial wall double purpose is
effected. Many 'armers put their stones in
large and small heaps in their fields. This
is a better way than leaving them scattered
about upon the surface of the ground, but it
takes more room, they are always in the way
make greater harbor for vermin, and do
not look near as well as when put in hand
some field walls. Wall is an expensive fence
to build, but when once and we'll done is
permanent and durable A half-made wall
is Of little value, and will not pay the cost
Of construction at present prices. Much
care is needed in this direction to ensure
durability aud prevent future disappOint'
ment.
There are always a quantity of smal
stones upon most farms not suitable for wall
and these can be proftably employed il
making underdrains. Probably there is no.
a stony farm of any size but that some por
ton needs draining, and would be greatly
benefited by the operation.
Stone draiEs have been found to last {
long time, and in this way two.fold Objcc
is gained in permanent improvements upor
the farm.
A vast amount of labor is entailed il
clearing farm of stones, but the soil OIL
such land is usually good and will pay il
increased production, case of working, an,
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