davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-05-22
stoek Raising.
ROOTS FOR STOCK.

The advantages Of having good supply
of roots to feed to stock are much greater
than many of us realize. If every farmer
who keeps stock could be induced to put in
a good area of roots when getting in his
crops this spring, the amount Of food for
stock would BE- much increased, and the
general health of stock in the state next
winter would be equally improved
An acre in turnips or other roots will pro-
duce larger amount of fodder than the
same land in grass or grain, and at hardly
more expense, which would have weight
with most farmers If the fact were under
stood, but this is not the principal advantage
to be realized We all know how eagerly
cattle will seize potato or other root in
winter; it is ~ much OF treat TO them af-
ter being kept on dry hay for weeks as any
of the luxuries on our table are to US, and
more so, for cattle fed on dry hay are not
fed as Nature feeds them. In their natural
state their food is the green herbage Of the
fields, and when shut up for six months and
confined to feed of dry hay and straw, the
wonder is not that they often fail to do well,
and run down in flesh, but that disease ia
not more common and fatal A feed every
day of turnips, carrots, or beets, will make
their food nearer like that supplied by Ma
ture on their native plains, and conduco tC
health in the animal and profit in the pock.
ct of the owner
10 view of these facts, Of the scarcity Of
hay this season in many localities, and ol
the probable short crop the coming seasor
owing to the severity Of the past winter
having injured many grass fields, we fee
sure those who have tried the growing o
roots for stock heretofore will put in larg
er area this season, and we hope many whC
have not done so will be induced TO Civ,
them trial. In this connection we woulC
commend to all perusal OF Mr.. Thorpi
article on Root Culture in the FARMER o
May 8. Mr.. Il. is deep-thinking, practi
cal man, and from years of experience, no
bnly here but in England, where the system
of farming is much in advance or ours anC
the growing of roots far more common, j
well qualified to give instruction to man.
readers. 1t is not yet too late to plant
field of turnips or even of beets, carrots, o
mangolds.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-05-22
WASHING SHEEP.

The annually recurring query among sheep
breeders has again come to the surface II
may be that it will remain unanswered for
another decade but our information is TO
the effect that each year finds its converts to
the nou-washing policy. Arguments can
b" found for both practices--the preponder-
auce Of those in favor Of washing being fur
nished by wool buyers, who fail sometimes
Though not so generally Of late as in former
years1 70 offer reasonable encouragement for
puthpg wool IN No. Heece.washed order.
40 Additional argument in the same direc.
tion is found in the fact that the commission
man who sells the farmers clip usually
makes his charge for such service at
50 much per pound, making it more expcn-
sive to sell fleece of wool sin the dirt" than
when washed. ITO these may be added
the item Of increased freight charges, which
comes out of the grower whether he sells at
home or ships 10 a broker.-These substan-
TALLY are all the arguments favoring the
washing Of sheep before shearing.
Against these are urged the facts i. The
labor, which is always valuable in the sea-
son of sheep-washing, there being so many
demands for it in other directions. 3 The
injury to health which often results from
standing for hours waist-deep in water. 3.
The damage to sheep, from the inevitable
crowding and rough handling during the pro-
cess and suffering by cold for one to
two days thereafter. So palpable is the lat
ter, that no breeder Of choice stock-higb-
priced animals--can be induced to subject
bis favorites to the ordeal. 4. Wool is ad-
mitted to keep better when stored in an un.
washed condition, and, il held for any con-
siderable time, TO take dyes better. D. All
aools, no natter how thoroughly washed on
te sleeps back, have to be secured before
working-so nothing is saved to the manu-.
facturer in the way Of labor 8. The man
ufacturer who gathers his stock of raw mate,
rial from different parts Of the country
would secure it in a more uniform condition
as the facilities for washing differ with every
state, and often in different parts Of the
same state. I. There would be no annoyance
from the throwing out Of heeces indiferently
washed, or those that may accidentally have
got in in an unwashed condition. The lattel
consideration is important, in view Of th'
dificuhy-we night say impossibility-o
washing any considerable number of sheer
to uniform condition of cleanness. Ever
il this was done they would need all to be
sheared at the name time, to preserve thu
uniformity for the grease" rises rapidly
under the warm sun Of the late spring anc
early summer days.
Recurring to the arguments pro and con
above enumerated, il will be noticed that the
most Of the reasons for fleece washing ar'
more readily met and answered than arr
those against il; and, although not intending
or desiring to convince anyone against hi
will, We nevertheless feel warranted in bring
lug TO the minds Of our renders subjec
that they will soon be forced to decide TO
themselves.-Lioe Stock Journal.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-05-22
General agriruIture.
THE REAL VALUE OF LABOR.
Read before Golden Grange No. 81, stOw'
May 4, by Mrs. Euniee POttIe.

Read before Golden Grange No. 81, stowe
May 4, By Mrs. Eunise pOttIe.
There are some who regard labor as the
great hardship of life. They admit that as
the world is constituted it is necessity
that we are dependent upon il for every
comfort, pleasure, and luxury that we en-
joy, but at the same time regard it only in
the light Of "a necessary evil, to be endured
for the present, with the spur OF strong
hope that at some time in the future
they will no longer be cursed with
its need. But such persons have failed
to perceive the great plan OF our existence,
and therefore do not realize the happiness
and satisfaction that lies in store for every
earnest toier. We're the ground SO fertile
that we need put forth no effort to supply
our wants, and if the earth yielded her rich
es in gold aud silver coins depending from
every bush aud shrub, instead Of being bur-
led thousands Of feet below the surface, re-
auiring toll, hardship, and risk Of lhe, what
think you would be the character oi the hu-
man racer Would it be desirable exist
encef Rather most contemplate one.
All our growth, energy, and powers OF body
and mind, are owing to this constant battling
with difficulty. How does tiny babe, SO
weak and helpless, grow to be strong, broad
shouldered manl He has constant motives
before him to use all the power of which his
weak muscles are capable. Aud thus with
every effort he is enabled to put forth great
er ones II no motive urged their use, his
muscles would never become 6rm. W.
should have no knowledge of any of Oul
power, no energy, force, or will, were they
not called into action by the resistance Of
nature.
Let US not, then, brothers aud sisters, de
spise honest labor, but may we find the high
est pleasure therein, whether physical o.
mental. II matters but little whether labo
be of the hands or Of the head, or both unit
ed, so that our whole soul is IN it, and mad,
to 20 out from it to bless mankind. Tn,
separation which now exists between menta
and physical labor is detrimental to tn
whole race. The braiu worker needs NOR
physical exercise, and the farmer needs NOR
brain exercise. Could mental and physica
labor 20 hand in hand, would not both class
es be beneRted2 Should we not have better
nobler, and healthier men and moment Fo
physical labor is ennobled by thought, an'
thought is stimulated aud made healthier b.
physical exercise. Farmers can find n
time to think, and thinkers consider il dis
grace 10 toll in the field But may we no
hope for better days2 The revolution ha
already begun. The farmer is sOrsly OP
pressed in brain and pocket, but
.,.l Ars not We the might Of the land
Hold not We the bread in our hand
Might makes right in this case, and ha
GllOays been ours--s God-given boon an
shall we not use in What we ask is equa
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-05-22
For the VERMONT FARNxR.
THE MODERATE DRINKER AND THE
YOUTH.

PARODY ON THE SPIDER AND THE TLr."
"wm you take drink with mor said the tempt
or to youth,
"The pleasures of the wine-cup are heeting but IN
truth
Our lives are aeeting also so enjoy while you ean,
Now come and take glass with me, II you would be
man"
90, no, :" said the wary youth, ito ask me is in
vain,
For # once reach the gutter neer rise again"
"Pm sure you must be fainting, for you labor very
hard,-
Why not just take one little glass, you be your
guard,
Twill do you good, know it WILL for I've often made
the test,
And if you'll take sip, III mix some of the best"
40 no. no - said the careful youth, for I've soul
TO save,
And he who takes the social glass may ill drunkard's
grave"
Said the cunning tippler to the youth, my friend
what can do
To prove that all say TO you yes, every word is true
take my btters every day, and so have for years
And see, Pm well and hearty now throw away your
fears.
"Oh, yes, yes" said the wayering youth, 81 doubt
not what you tell,
But am strong without the wine, and is not that as
wellfp
Dear friend, now said the tempter =" you're witty
and you're wise,
And sparkling glass Of wine would add luser to your
eyes
You'd then be irresistible among your lady friends
For they like best a dashng youth whom jOllity at
tends"
al thank you kindly, sir" he said for what you're
pleased 10 say,
AIttt.i lint will nk tn.
day"
And so the drinker went hs way and drank his grOg
alone,
But we'll he knew the foolish youth would follow him
right soon.
So he prepared, with careful skill, glass of tempting
WINE,
And sent an invitation for the faterng youth to dine
lie presided at the table, and he urged the youth
again,
Saying Drink of this pure wine from the grapes up
on tn plain.
Some may fear the drunkards fate to taste they
dare,
But you are not so weak OF will-ther danger you'll
not share
Alas alas how very this foolish tempted youth
Yielded the temptation, and forgot the way of truth
With ALTERING hand he held the glass; and looked with
longing eye
And thinking of the present joy saw not the danger
ngh,-
Saw not the future that might come,the future dread
At last
He drank, and yet again. Now habit holds him fast
For he learned love the witchng draught and he'll
fill drunksrd's grave,
Unless the Christians God should help for he alon'
save
And now, young man, this warning heed, who may my
story seq,
Think not moderate drinkSr you can with safety be
Only In total abstinence your safety lies, in truth
Now learn this lesson from tho fate Of the poor mis-
guided youth.
Lincoln, ~. H. A. j.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-05-22
RECIPES.

BertOick Sponge Cake.--6 eggs, 3 cups
white sugar, cups -four 2 teaspoons cream
tartar, teaspoon soda, cup cold water,
lemon. First: beat the eggs two minutes,
then put in the sugar, beat five minutes, then
stir in the cream tartar aud two cups of the
-four, beat one minute dissolve the soda in
the water aud stir in with the rated rind OF
the lemon and half the juice add the other
two cups -four, with salt to taste, and beat
all one minute. Put in deep pans; bake in
moderate oven.
Pork Cake.-Fat salt pork entirely tree
from rind or lean chopped SO fine as to be
like lard pound pour over this | pint
boiling water; raisins seeded and chopped,
! pound; sugar, 2 cups; mOlasses, cup; l
teaspoon soda. rubbed fine aud put in the
molasses mix all these together and add
-four enough to make it the consistency OF
common cake add cinnamon, cloves, and
nutmeg; bake slowly until thoroughly done.
This cake improves with sge-will keep six
months in cool, dry place.
Poor Mans Gingerbread.-2 cups boiling
water, butter size OF half an egg, cup
common West India molssses, teaspoon
soda, teaspoon salt and one Of ginger,
-four to make it about like griddle cake bat
ter; bake ia moderate oven and eat warm
with butter.
Lemon Pie No l.-Yolks Of two eggs,
one cup sugar, one lemon, 3 table sPOOnfuls
water, hall cracker.
Lemon Pie No. 2.-One egg, one lemon,
one cup sugar, half cup of water, one des-
sert spoonful Of corn starch.
FrOsting for Lemon Pis.-Whites Of
two eggs, 8 table spOOnfuls of Pulverized Sug-
ar. Beat the whites and then add the sugar.
Brown in oven.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-05-22
For the vsanoEr PARNER.
GIRLS, AND FARMERS WIVES.

Why do women and young ladies IN par
ticular, have such an abhorrence Of fai mers,
and marrying farmers2 What is there
about being farmers wife that should
cause young ladies TO stare with horror at
you, if you should say that steady, intel
lectual, respectable farmer was preferable to
village "snob" that eau swagger and strut
aud sport kid gloves and cigars, and more
than likely as not his breath will emit the
fragrant Odor Of the popular young man OF
the present day, whisky. will in my fee
BILE way present some Of the reasons
They are educated in that way from their
earliest childhood the principles and ideas
taught and inculcated at home by silly
mothers does 1t. They are taught that-it is
degrading to work, and that it is beneath
them to associate with those that do work
they are taught also that if they have an
older brother that is assisting their father
on the farm, he is not suitable company for
them they will not be seen out with that
lawful awkward creature" he is not pol
ished in his manners like such "dear genteel
folks" as such young man that never did
days work in his life but on the contrary
has wasted more valuable time and money
than he will ever earn if he lives a century.
They are taught to esteem fine dress and
good looks far preferable to worth and hon
esty, and by the time they are put in long
dresses they are ashamed to be seen in any
public place with an honest farmers boy for
an escort. His hands may be brown with
toll and his face somewhat sun-burned, but
there is more intelligence in one such face
than in a score Of these inspid, weak-mind-
ed dandies that hang, idiug their time away,
around stores aud taverus. They hear 1t
said at home, "Oh dear, never would mar
ry farmer or poor man; here IT is work
all the time, nothing but drudgsry; now
girls, if you ever marry, don't marry to be
drudge" Theu again, some mothers are
very shrewd, and will educate their daugh-
ters for fashionable society, and to be fash
ionable mems wives. Now girls if you
value your life's happiness, do not waste
time and talents on cultivating pride of dress,
and the society Of heartless young men !;
throw them both aside store the mind with
useful, practical knowledge, learn how to
work and take care of yourselves there is
. nothing degrading in this; never despise a
farmers life, because there is more true
comfort and happiness to be the esteemed
wife of an honest farmer, than the wife Of
) bra,nless fop. A.
Cabot r..'
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-05-22
&atmst
PUBLISHED WEEKLY,
.sT vt. .TOH.vSBURY, VT.
BY
ROYAL CUMMINGS.

- - - - Soa0
- IN ssr,o,is IN ppS,yapnco ne .2.O0
Subscribers in Canada must remit 2Oc In addition,
for United States postage.
,s... a,..oa,,.,,ad ,,o,,i nj, arrearaxes are maid
,. Stsi ~ aho otisn oS tbs nnhiisbers
. - =, y ~, =. -, ,td s.,d ,ha,, nav
mens directly to u.s. instead o. walng 'oI ~ skSs ~ ~
call or handing them 70 thIu paIg VIM y porJ Sps a
delay sending them, causing UNNECESSARY
encs In looking them up when sent uIevsn s 70 ",
$500 will pay for year VI not more thah na se N.
has elapsed, ana f4.o WI, Pd PaS ~ tswy n oniv noy
more than one OF them hns passeu. nu. y ~ oiI n ,
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-05-22
WORKING BUTTER.

Mr.. Il. s. Lewis, in the Utica Herald
gives the following directions for the work
ing of butter. A great deal OF butter is in
jured in working, and Mr., Lowis's ideas are
worthy Of perusal
When the butter comes, and as ,soOn as
the dash churns clean, take off the cover !;
do not gather the butter compact with the
dash in the churn-as is usually done-do
not gather il at all, but have hair sieve,
which first wet in hot aud then 10 cold water,
so that the butter will not stick to it. Then
have piece Of board that will 6ll inside
Of the churn TO hold the butter back turn
the buttermilk from the churn through the
sieve. When the buttermllk is drained out
let the butter remain in the ohurn then
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-05-22
Correspondence.
For the vEaNoEr FARMER.
KEEP UP THE FENCES.

This is the season Of the year when every
one is in hurry. There are 80 many things
that must be done. that those Of less impor-
tance are often neglected, md with them
some Of the most important generally are
put of for moro convenient season. Too
often do we see the line and other fences
allowed to lie with rail down here. stake
broken there, or board loose yonder, watt
ing until there is little more time which
can be given to them. Week after week
wears away, hoeing follows springs work,
and before the hoeing is fairly done haying
is upon us, and still no time has been found
to repair the fences, until some day ten or
fifteen head of cattle are found in the corn,
and more damage is done than Il would have
cost to mend the fence in the FIRST place,
while the reFa.sshsast be made now. and the
fence made higher and stronger than would
have been necessary before, for we all know
how much harder it is to fence against cattle
after they have once obtained taste Of the
crops. Then if the cattle which have caused
the damage happen to belong to our neigh
Dor instead of ourselves, there is pretty
good basis upon which to commence q law
suit which will enable both parties to expend
large sum Of money for the benefit Of the
lawyers, and get virtually 20 return, which,
ever way the case goes, besides getting into
a state of ill-humor with each other and all
around them. Good fences make good
neighbors," was the motto Of a friend Of
mine, and though his neighbors sometimes
grumbled little at being called upon to
" help mend the line fence when work was
so driving never knew one who did not
say it was the best way after it was done
especially if neighbours cattle on the other
side Of him happened to get in over the fence
which had been neglected there, and do thir.
ty or forty dollars worth of damage some
night.
| hope all who read the FARMER will take
the stitch in time which saves nine, and sc
not have any lawsuits next fall to collect
damages done by unruly cattle breaking
over poor fences, nor yet have to pocket !
heavy bill of expense fromthe same cause
A SUBSCRIBER.
BarnstOn, p. O., May Is.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-05-22

take your water, holding 1t up as high ~
your head, pour il upon the butter iu
stream sufficiently large, so that il will force
its way through the butter, aud keep ths
stream moving about upon the butter this
will separate the little balls Of butter fll
up the churn with water until what little
buttermilk there was 10 tho butter is diluted
TO that extent that there will be no necessity
of changing the water, and the result will DO
that your butter will be washed or the but
termilk all rinsed out Of the butter without
breaking. marriug, or injuring single grain
Of the butter.
When it sufficiently hardeus 10 the
water, take It out for sailing, using the iadle
to get out the most Of il, then the sieve
Now comes the sailing and working. For
butter worker an inclined plane in the shape
of letter A, with a round lever, is prefer
red. Spread the butter upon the worker,
then put on half the quantity Of salt you
desire TO use, roll it 10, then with small,
fat, wooden shovel, turn one hall Of II over
on the top Of the other half put on half Of
the remaining SALT roll it back do the other
half in the same way, and then put on the
balance Of the salt then work the salt ip
somewhat, taking paftlcular care p0t TO let
the lever slip on the butter while working it..
Always let the lever 20 on the butter with n
rolling motion. If you allow the lever to
slip on the butter it will destroy the grain
and make it look shiny.
Set the butter away in a cool place at
night put it in the worker work it a little,
then let it stand until morning, and work
again Just enough to bo sure the streaks are
out-the white streaks are parts that have
not taken salt-theu pack. The butter
worker should stand face to the light. The
best bowls to use are the white oak butter
tnhSy
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-05-22
DEcAYED TURNips AS MANURE,

A valued correspondent furnishes us with
some interesting facts relative to growing
turnips as manure for grain. 1t so hap
pened that the owner Of the piece Of turnlps
in question was from home at the time the
FIRST snow fell, and for some time afterwards,
consequently there was no opportunity Of
harvesting the crop, and II was left in the
ground, aud as a matter OF course all rotted
on the land. The following spring oats were
sown on the same piece, which contained ex-
actly three.quarters of an acre. At harvest
the straw was 80 heavy the crop could not
be cradled, and had TO be reaped, After
threshing the quantity was carefully meas
ured, and the yield of good, clean oats was
found to be exactly SeVe'ity.str bushels, or
at the rate OF triAe over one hundred bush
els an acre This remarkable crop was
again tested by re-measuring the oats, and as
further proof also ro-measuring the land.
The next year the same piece Of land was
sown with spring wheat, and again the value
of the decayed turnips was verified, by a
large crop of wheat being obtained there
being nearly twenty-seven bushels from three
quarters of an acre. For three following
years the continued benefit of the decayed
turnips was very apparent The sort sown
was the ordinary white variety, and the land
was not manured, nor was the crop remark
ably heavy; as the turniPs we're not sown
until July, and never hoed or thinned out,
the seed was sown broadcast, and very thin,
to avoid expense iD subsequent CIVILIZATIONS.
As we have many times before recommend ;
the land was narrowed ut intervals Of about
three weeks, commencing the middle OF
April. This mode of cultivation attacks the
weeds when quite young aud unable to with
stand the constant stirring Of the soil Con-
sequently, at the time the seed was sown, all
weed seed had vegetated and we're destroyed,
aud hoeing was unnecessary except to thin
the plants, which, in thiS instance, was not
done. e.--Cahdda Farmer.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-05-22
A FARMER,s AONG.

We envy not the prineely man,
In city or ln'tOwn,
Who wonders whether pumpkin vines
Run up the hill or down
We care not for his marble halls,
Nor yet his heaps Of gold,
We would nQ own his sOrdid heart
For all his wealth thrice told.
We are the favored ones of earth,
We breathe pure air each morni
We sow-we reap the golden grain
We gather in the corn,
We toil--We live ON what We eprn,
And more than this We do
We hear of starving millions round,
And gladly feed them, too.
The lawyer lives on princely fees,
Yet drags weary life,
lie never knows peaceful hour
His atmosphere is strife.
The merchant thumbs his yardstick Ger,
Grows ragged at his toll
He's not the man God meant him for
Why don't you till the soil
The doctor plods through storm and cold
Plods at his patients will,
When dead and gOne he plods again
To get his lengthy bill.
The printer tbless his noble sOulO
He grasps tho mighty earth,
And stamps II on your daily sheet
To cheer the farmers hearth.
We sing the honor Of the plow,
And honor 10 the press
Two noble instruments Of toll,
With each power to bless;
The bone-the nerve Of this fast age
True wealth ofhumRn kind
One tills tho ever generous earth,
The other tills the mind.