Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-08-28
Nttmnnt Gatmst
CLEAR UP lie FENoE.ooRNERs.

ing is over one sees surprising area Of
ground in fence-corners and around rocks,
stone heaps, &C., which not only does not
produce anything useful, but is yearly send
ing forth millions Of seeds of noxious weeds
to stock the tillage fields, making work for
the hoe and cultivator and diminishing the
value Of the crops whero they grow. A
small amount Of labor comparatively, would
remove these unsightly weeds and briars,
and not only greatly add to the beauty and
attractiveuess of the farm, but make il more
profitable IF one has flock of sheep, the
raspberry and other bushes, the golden rod,
and many Of the other weeds which are
principally to be found in such places can be
saved aud fed to them with actual profit.
In winter sheep will leave the best Of hay
for raspberry leaves, and we have saved pur-
chasing fodder in n season Of scarcity by Sc.
curing a quantity of them, which would 9TH
erwisc have been passed by as vaueess
A few years of constant moving would
eradicate the briars and weeds, and, espo-
cially in the case Of worm fences, redeem to
usefulness a large amount Of land which has
long lain idle and which, from long dsuse,
has become rich in vegetable mold so that
splendid crop of grass would grow upon it.
On some farms the feuce.cornors have
been used as storing place for stones and
rubbish until the whole length of the fence,
especially along the road, is half buried in
stones, and overgrown by weeds. This not
only greatly mars the beauty of the home.
stead, but is downright mark of unthrilt,
and an Improbable management. A rail
fence needs to be rclaid once in q while, as
it gradually settles into the ground, and we
have seen this done where two and even
three Of the bottom rails were left in the
ground because they were SO buried by stones
and rubbish that it would cost more than
they were worth to raise them.
If you have quantity of stones that you
do not need to use for ditching or other pur-
poses, do not tip load or two in each fence
corner, but draw them somewhere where
they can never be in the way. We have
worked for days at hard, backaching work,
to remove the stones which some one had
piled around large rock or a tree, when
the same amount of labor would have put
them where they would be forever out of the
way.
When anything is done, let it be so done
that it will never need doing over again, il
possible. The profits of the farm are none toe
large at the best, and the more thought aud
intelligence there is brought to bear upon
his labor, the greater will be the reward Of
the farmer. For every four or five hundred
rods Of the common crooked rail fence there
is wasted ION most farms) an acre, at least
Of land which might be made to yield {
heavy crop Of grass. The fact that this il
land which cannot be plowed is no argumen
against utilizing it for hay, as there are hay
fields which have not been plowed since tn,
memory of the " oldest inhabtant," bu
which, by top dressing, yield their two O.
three tons of hay per acre, yearly.
Every farmer who takes a pride in hi
work, as every man should do, whatever hi
occupation, loves the sight Of clean, smootl
field, without bush, briar or stone, covere,
with rich growth Of grass or grain, aud tn,
pride and satisfaction he feels in the sight
to say nothing of the pecuniary inducements
ought to lead him to clear his fence-cornor
of weeds and briars, and make the old farm
shine so that the boys as they grow up vii
love it, and will not wish to leave for the
city as soon as they are large enough. Jus
now, before the irosts, is the time to cut tn,
raspberries and golden rod if you wish t.
utilize them for fodder, and the fodder vii
pay the cost of saving, and each year tn,
bushes will become fewer and the labor 0
moving less, while the product will be NOR
valuable.
Polands emissaries have been in a
parts of St. Johnsbury this week, stating
that the opposition in other parts of tho tow
had agreed to compromise and either vot
for Poland or not vote for congressman a
all if the Poland party will vote for an ant