davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-10-02
THICK AND THIN SEEDING.

The fact that plants yield more largely
when they are furnished with abundant
room, and that the thin seeding of crop,
up to certain limits, yields better harvest
than any thicker seeding, is no new thing.
We read of it in the works Of the most an.
cent writers upon agriculture, and early his
torians record facts illustrative of the advan-
tages of sowing thinly, and of the extraor-
dinary yields Of grain from single seeds
Nevertheless the subject is as fresh as ever,
and we see every year good farmers wasting
large amounts of seed, aud sacrificing large
portions Of their crops. We have recently
seen piece Of oats sown with one bushel
per acre, which yielded better crop than
neighboring field sown with four bushels per
acre. A few years. ago we divided ten
acre field into five portions, and sowed them
with wheat at the rate Of one bushel, five
pecks, six pecks, seven pecks, and two BUSH
els of seed per acre. There was no percep-
tible difference in the soil of the field, nor
any in the manuring, preparation, or sowing
At harvest time there was very percep-
tible difference in the yield, the thnnest
sowed portion being by far the best of the
field, and the thickest portion the worst.
Near the edge of TIE field, upon the thin
nest sOwn part, where the seed had been
thiuned out by the pigeons, there were some
stools of wheat with 30 stalks, each bearing
an ear aud in this part of the field the
difference was mostly shown in this way, and
in the length ofthe ears The other side of
the field, where two bushels had been sown,
produced much shorter ears than this por-
tion.-Am. ApiultmiSt.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-10-02
LAMOILLE VALLEY FAIR.

We did not secure a reporter for this fair,
as we have for most county and town fairs
in the state, suppOsing We could steal the
report from the Citizen, but Earle was too
much for us, and only printed a few lines
besides the premium list. He can't play
that on us next time, if we can secure a re.
porter.
The Citizen says: The fair was a success
in every particular. The show of cattle was
good, though we should say hardly up to
last year, though in working oxen there were
many more. The show of horses was excel
lent, there being many fac ones, Among
the latter were noticed splendid pair owned
by r. w. Mcfarland, of johnson, and an-
other pair owned by A. j. Wheelock, Of
Cambridge, which attracted the attention of
the crowd. Notwithstanding the fOrbidding
aspect of the heavens, there were some 1900
on the ground the first day, and not less
than 1000 the second day. Good order was
preserved throughout, but little drunkenness
being seen. The number of entries in the
floral department was l0l. The oration was
given by Hon. Geo. W. Grandy, of Ver-
gennes, and was most excellent 1t was not
a labored production or set speech, but rath-
er an extemporaneous " talk" and took well
with those who heard, if we may judge from
the strict attention paid TO the speaker
throughout The speech had one good point
if it had no other; its was brief, its sweet
ness not being long drawn OUT"
We give the stock and some other pre-.
miums
Cattle.
Town teams, Morristown LIST, johnson
I'd, Hydepark 3D..
Two-year.old Shorthorn bull, w S Thorp
Morristown, LIST aud ID.
Yearling ShoIthorn bull, J NJ Campbell
MorristOwn, lst and ID.
ShOrthOrn bull calf, IL Hodge, Morris
town, I'd.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-10-02
BEST ROOMS.

| have always wondered what some peo-
pie have best rooms for. 1t really is mys-
try for they always keep them closed and
dark-no ray Of sunlight ever peeps through
the curtains or falls upon the carpet or pic
lures. Everything is cold aud stiff, and
sort of awe-inspring atmosphere pervades
the whole room and you feel involuntarily
like raising your hat and making profound
bow when you enter.
A few times a year the apartment is air.
ed, and two or three times opened for "grand
company" But how uncongenial every
thing is One feels like walking on tip-toe;
the children are sure to talk in whispers,
and there is pervading feeling that the
carpet is too nice to walk on, the chairs too
easy to be enjoyed, the pictures too beauti-
full to be commented upon, the books too hand
somely bound to be looked at and read. So
you sit bolt upright and talk politics and
theology until you get as rigid as your
surroundings.
Now, | don't like such rooms | don't
believe in having things that are too nice
to be used ; they always make one nervous.
If | have a nice dress | want to wear it; if
| have nice, pleasant room | want to en-.
joy it when have leisure, and not when
1 have a roomfull of company to enter
tain.
always think soft carpets are to walk
upon, easy chairs to loung in beautiful pic
lures to look at and admire, handsome books
to read and talk about.
How | love to throw open the "bcst
rooms" now and then and spend a quiet eve-
ming there have father and brother put on
their dressing-gowns and slippers-mother
bring her knitting, and sisters their crochet
and embroidery; have some one read
good entertaining story, or a sketch from
some favorite nuthnr,-then play an inno-
cent game Of some slrt, laugh and talk Just
as much as you please, or sing a pleasant,
CHEEKY song, with a piano for accompani-
ment.
Presently father will begin one of his
long, thrilling storios of his early life in a
new country mother will look complacently
around upon the family group and think
what happy change time has wrought
How bright and happy those faces are
around that hearthstone Soon the clock
gives warning that It's an hour past bed
time-and where has the time fown2 Hap
py good nights are spoken, and happier
hearts think there is no place like home, and
there isn't.
Now, this is what call enjoyment,
and putting our " best rooms to a proper
use; and | am confident that if more par
ents thought so, and would labor to make
home the happiest place on earth, there
would be far less dissipation and crime
among our young men than there now is.
There is nothing that sheds such a glow
of warmth through the soul as the feeling
that there is one place on earth where we
can lind rest and that is home; place
where we can enjoy the society of those
most dear to us, and where all is peace and
happiness.
Parents, open your best room occa-
sionaly, when only your family is to grace
it, and see how much comfort you can take,
aud how great an amount of happiness you
will afford those over whom you have con-
troll.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-10-02
8re 4Seepin9.
BEE HUNTING.

For the benefit Of others who may wish to
engage in the exciting sport of bee hunting
we give few directions for finding the
abode of wild bees. Go as far from the
tame bees as possible as the wild bees are
seldom found in their proximity. Your out
fit should consist Of some strained honey, a
piece Of comb, and a box or cup in which to
catch the bees, Place the comb containing
some honey, on a stand where the movements
Of the bees can be seen, and then place upon
the honey bee from some neighboring bios
som. When this bee has filed his sac, it
will rise, describe a few circles, aud take a
bee line for tho tree, in few minutes re-
turning with reinforcements. This opera
tion is repeated, additional reiuforcements
arrive, until hundred may 60 to work.
The bee hunter estimates the distance be-
tween the tree and the stand by the time the
bees are gone from the latter, and by the
number Of bees at work on tho honey. Af-
ter good line is established, obtain cross
line by moving the stand either to the right
or left.
Later in the season after the frost has
killed the flowers, the bees are attracted by
burning comb. For this warm, still day
is best. Supply tin pail with some ashes
and live, hardwood GOALS; on this put bits
of comb sufficient to make good smudge,
which will draw the bees TO the stand in
search of honey, when they are lined as
above. A few drops Of the essence of arnica,
dropped upon the comb containing the hon
ey, will induce the bees to work more rapid
ly and increase much fastsr,--BufalO Lire
Stock Journal.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-10-02
TO DESTROY INSECTS.

Hot alum water is recent suggestion as
an insecticide. 1t will destroy red and
black ants, cockroaches, spiders, chintz bugs,
and all the crawling pests which infest our
houses Take two pounds of alum and dis
solve it in three or four quarts of boiling
water; let it stand on the fire until the alum
disappears; then apply it with a brush,
while nearly boiling hot, to every joint and
crevice in your closets, bedsteads, pantry
shelves and the like. Brush the crevlces in
the floor or the skrting or mop-boards, if you
suspect that they harbor vermin. If in
whitewashing a ceiling plenty Of alum Is
added to the lime, it will also serve to keep
insects at distance. Cockroaches will fee
the paint which has been washed in cool
alum water. Sugar barrels and boxes can
be freed from ants by drawing wide chalk
mark Just around the edge Of the top Of
them. The mark must be unbroken or they
will creep over it, but a continuous chalk
mark half an iLch in width will set their
depredations at naught. Powdered alum or
borax will keep the chintz bug at respect
full distance, and travellers should always
carry package of it in their hand bags to
scatter over and under their pillows in
places where they have reason to suspect
the presence of such bediellows.-JOundl Of
Chemistry.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-10-02
Stock 8aisins.
ON RAISING CALVES.

For some time past considerable has been
said concerning raising calves on sour milk
in the Boston Culiirator. The idea ap-
pears to be new to the editor and is not ap.
proved by him, as well as Constant Reader"
as will he seen below. while it is sustained
by several correspondents, mostly from YER
mont among whom is our friend, Mr. Par
ris, Of Fairfax. We here copy his last let.
ter to that paper, in reply to "Constant
Reader" Massachusetts farmer, as of in
terest to farmers in this vicinity. Mr.. Par.
ris says -
Now, sir, if a COW will make II lbs. of
butter per week and the sour milk will
raise good calf, will that not pay2 be-
lieve Vermont stands behind no state as for
quality and quantity for the number of cows
for dairy produce and Franklin County is
equal (if not the best) TO any county in the
state Farmers have learned by experience
that it is not the largest COW that gives the
most and best milk but snug, fair sized,
good shaped COW. Constant Reader sit
has all popped out" | will give you some
facts s. ID. Alfred raised last year calf
on sour milk from three days old, and in the
fall he added shorts with the sour milk aud
this spring at II months old, sold it for
SlG3 for beef and has one now weighing
1868 lbs. at months old aud his Ayrshire
COW when three years old made IL lbs. per
week. DR.. james Farnsworth had COW
that gave very poor milk-it looked like
milk aud water and not much if any cream
could be got from her milk and yet she
would fat calf as we'll or better than any
COW / ever saw Now "Constant Reader
if you will come to Fairfax, Franklin Co.,
VI, will show you large quantity Of
calves that have had only sour milk; they
are good and in good condition there have
been good many sold to 60 to Boston
raised on sour milk only, and good many
killed for home market. do not wish to
judge the farming class Of your state by the
toay. gOw raise stock and why do you judge
our cattle by some that you have seen, that
you supposed came from the North ? We
hare AYRSHIRE co,oS that gioe rich milk,
and zoe don't complain OF it either there is
an Ayrshire COW years old that makes II
lbs per week on grass another sold 100
lbs. and raised a calf on the SOur milk from
said COW the calf is worth $40 at the pres
ent time to kill. Curtis Wheeler has an
Ayrshire COW that made through June, l6i
lbs. per week on grass. have some good
Ayrshire cows and they don't give ''milk
and water" but good rich milk, and would
like to compete with you at the county and
state fairs with my 'milk and water" calves
and show you they won't make milk and
water COWS if they were raised on "souI
skinned milk" "OOnstant Reader" sup
pose you gioe as some facts (if you please
J from your COWS.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-10-02
WHOLE NO. 200.
gaotts Department.
For the VERMONT FARMER.
WOMAN'S WORK.

A great deal has been said by our FARM
ers' wives and daughters about our duties.
Some think outdoor work is not duty, and
that it is degrading for ladies to soil their
hands with such work. Some do not.
What is duty for one, may be far from
being duty for another. 1t depends alto
gether upon circumstances, as you will see.
My father was sick, and and my sister
have done great deal Of out door work.
We have taken the whole care of horse
and COW, and sometimes of pig and hens,
for one year. Have planted corn and pota-
toes, mended fence, piled up eight cords Of
stove wood, drawn hay to the barn and
slowed it away in the loft, dug potatoes,
husked the corn and taken care of it. Aud
in the winter we have drawn wood, been to
mill, swept snow and shoveled paths, and
when snow is from one to three feet deep it
is not light work.
We have spent great deal Of time now
and then trying to find some one to do this
work for US, but of course Number one "
must be looked out for no matter for 9TH
ers. And if once in great while we did
find some one for day, he would charge us
as much for one days work as he would 9th
ers for three. And so we have done all this
because it was our duty" and 1 do not
consider myself degraded in the least. l
have no father now, and [ shall never regret
having done what l could for him.
ALLIE.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-10-02

tend that the race course is no more an ally
Of agriculture than that the constellation in
the heavens which is called the Great Bear
is component part of farmers stock IL
is an entirely separate institution from
fair, has different laws, different associations,
and totally different result. When hun =
dreds Of dollars are offered for the fastest
trotting horse and only $40 for the best
COW, SO for the best sheep, S3 for the best
exhibition Of fruit, So for the best butter,
and 81 for the best vegetables, farmers may
well conclude that their products are at
discount with the managers of fairs.
The horse is u noble ANIMAL and it is an
indispensable adjunct of the farm, but a
trotting horse, one of the 2:40 kind, in no
sense belongs to the farm. No farmer can
afford either TO tend or use trottlng horses,
and when it is pretended that the race
course favors the breeding of superior ami
mails, it is all fudge. What the farmer
wants, and what fairs should give premiums
for, is good family carriage or farm horse,
worth 5000 or $500; one that can draw a
pow all day, and cat and sleep well at
night; that can move on the road at the
rate OF five to- six miles an hour for four or
i've consecutive hours without excessive fa-
tiguc. Speed is not the great criterion Of a
good horse, as the large premiums offered
would seem to indicate. Neither the owner
nor spectator gains anything by this forced
2:40 speed. 1t is a mere momentary spurt,
aud for its production an amount Of training
is required which no farmer can afford.
Will the objection be raised, awe must
have a little fun ?" We do not object to
fun and plenty of it; but who can posi-
bly, derive fun from witnessing horse
goaded on to oxertion beyond all reasonable
bounds in order to compass mile in an in.
crediby short time? There is some excitement
about race, we grant, and if there are
those who must live on excitement, let them
have a race course away from the fair
grounds. The fair will flourish more, aud
accomplish its legitimate results better,
without than with racing. If the exhibition
of good stock. farming tools and farm pro.
ducts, the meeting of friends, and the gener-
GUS rivalry for premiums do not furnish at.
traction aud excitement enough to draw out
those interested in agriculture, then it is
time that our fairs should cease, and it is no
longer worth while for the state to patronize
them with large subsidies.-Canada Farm.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-10-02

MARKET REPORTS.

Many persons denounce our agricultural
papers and refuse to subscribe for them for
the reason that they believe them to be more
in the interest of the middlemen than of the
farmer, and for proof refer to the market re.
ports therein, as they many times sell their
produce at home as high as quoted in their
paper as Boston prices. The same is true
of the market reports in the FARMER for
farm products. Many of our farmers have
sold their butter all summer as high as quot
ed in the FARMER. They see in last weeks
quotation, butter, extreme Boston price "a
cents, st. Adams, selections "a to 80 cents,
Vergennes, selections "a cents. This butter
is all bought for Boston market, hence your
report is denounced in terms not proper for
me to write. "Why does he thus report ?"
they say, "if he is honest" "Why will the
FARMER, so honest and outspoken in regard
to the merchants high prices, not give us
the highest Boston market prices, that we
may not be cheated in selling our produce
any more than in buying our merchandise ~
Perhaps l eau give a little explanation
that will help our farmers to bOtter under
stand the market reports and free your city
reporter from blame.
We will take, for illustration, butter that
being one Of the principal marketable prod
ucts from this cOunty. Your reporter is a
commission man, and quotes the price cor
rect no doubt, but he sells to the jObber, the
jobber to the grocer, who sells to the con-
sdmer. Now let us follow shipment Of
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-10-02

Fried CucumJers-Takc aripe, full-grown
cucumber, pare, and slice it quarter of an
inch in thickness. Dip each slice into a
batter made of one egg, three tablespoOniuls
Of -four, and little water, just enough to
make it a stiff batter. Fry in very hot lard,
and plenty Of it. Serve hot, with slices Of
salt pork freshened in sweet milk over night
and dipped into the same batter. This
makes a nice dish for breakfast.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-10-02

The potato digging machine improved by
S. w. Tyler of this city, was worked on the
farm occupied by Garret Ives in the town
of Brunswick on Tuesday last aud although
the extreme drought had rendered the
ground so hard that many farmers in that
vicinity had been obliged to give up plowing,
yet the machine worked with such wonderful
facility as to astonish all persons. Many
Of the farmers already regard it as being
equally necessary among farming imple-
mcnts to the moving machine. Steps are
being taken to form n stock company for
the purpose of manufacturing these ma
chimes. Notwithstanding the limited trials
that have been given to these machines,
many could be sold at once if they were to
be obtained. This machine can dig from
twenty to thirty barrels of potatoes per
hour with ease. Other exhibitions will
soon be made on the same and other grounds.
Troy Wing.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-10-02
NO LICENSE TO PAVE THE DARK
PATHWAY TO HELL.
PUBLISHED WEEKLY.
1T ST. JOHNS BURr, VT.

We find the following in the California Agrieunurisf,
on the occasion Of vote on the license question in
that state
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-10-02
swine.
Boar pig, S Whitcomb, Hydepark.

Sheep.
CotSwOlds-2-y -ycar.od buck, 7 Hill,
Emore.
1-year-old buck, and I'd do, r G Hill,
Emore, Sd do, j 7 Hill.
Buck lamb, j I Hill, II Bundy, VOL
colt, II G Hill.
Pen of eve sheep, j 7 Hill, Cd and Sd, II
G Hill
Pen of eve lambs, aud I'd, r G Hill, W
S Thorp.
Leicester Sheep-Buck, G Clark, Vol.
cotr, Il p Darling, Wolcott, Orsen Hadley.
Pen Of eve sheep, and ID, A Dodge, Nor
ristown.
Fine Wooled Sheep-3.year-old buck, s
Stowe, o Hadley, II } Harris.
2.year-old buck, and ID, S Stowe.
Pen Of eve sheep, and I'd, S Stowe.
Other Glasses.
Butter, 4 9 Merriam, fillmore, b NJ Nun.
son, Mornstown
Cheese, dairy, IL j Harris, Stowe, s f
Vaughn, Hydepark, A j Campbell.
Maple sugar, Ii Taylor, ii d Cook, l. b
Richardson.
Bees honey, W S Thorp, Maple honey,
l. B Richardson.
Gram--Wheat, ii Wait, Eden, B NJ
Munson.
Rye, g l. Holbrook, Hydepark, ii Dodge.
Corn, q Il Small, Il ii Shaw.
Beans, Il Ii Shaw, lst and ID.
Oats, q w Clark, Hydepark, A M
WhitcOmb, Morristown.
l. Pearl took first premiums on black
aud brown cashmere, flannel, full cloth, doe
skin, double and twisted cashmere, and
woolen yarn.
Morrisville milk pan took first premium,
and Washington County pan diploma,
The hulless oats were recommended by
committee.
Buzzells Giant water wheel, diploma and
honorable mention.
Moulton's water tubing, discretionary pre-,
MUM Of So.
ii p Shorey 4 Co, Of st Johnsbury, had
Geo Woods and au Estey organ, which
were highly spoken of by the committee, as
was the playing Of Mrs II 9 Kinney.
SO recommended to ii NJ Cady for two
seated twO-hOrse wagon, not in premium list
Sanborn's swivel pillow was awarded d.
ploma and discretionary premium OF ~
Ellsworth Il Son, of Fletcher, had four
head Of Ayrshires on which the discretion
ary committee awarded 81, they being
owned outside the county.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-10-02

The slogan is sounding, all hail brothers, hail
BY the mountains tits echoed, It's borne on the gales
The dark CLOUDS are lining, the mists clear away,
And soon through their rirting will dawn the bright
day.
What, What is the watchword that's borne on the
air,
That with rOsc-tut of hope glds the clouds Of de-
spair,
'Tis no license the ath.doaling liquid TO SELL
No license to pave the dark pathway to hell.
H.
No license; ne license oh brothers, take heed
No license to further make broken hearts bleed;
No license No license Raise higher the acclaim,
Still further to pander to fIlsehood aud shame.
'Tis the first dawnng ray Of the "rulness of time :"
No license for murder; no license for crimes
No license to purchase, to make or to SELL
No license to pave the dark pathway to hell
. Ill.
And whence comes the slogan that breaks on our
ears,
And gllds with sweet promise the dowry of tearsl
Was it born in the halls of the wealthy great,
Did it spring from the mentors who rule for the
state
Or from "publc opinion" which claims to be right
Did it spring IN full armor resplendenv and bright
No! Never such glory their fame can yet swell,
AS no license to pave the dark pathway to hell.
. w. ..rrHs...
No Twas born from oppressiOn-'twas nurtured in
grief,
Till from suffering and sorrow it sprang for relief
Like Gethsemane's martyr from almost despair
1t arose to the light on the piniOns OF prayer.
For the wall Of the millions, who sorrowOd alone,
Now breaks in one billow, swells in one tones
And this is the Judgment tits destined TO toll:
No license to pave the dark pathway to hell.
Arise to the rescuel In manhood come forth
Let the land of the sunset respond to the North
For woman has bowed before God and the Throne,
And led where proud man dared not travel alone.
Come orth with the ballot" fulfill the "decree,"
And hencefOrth from the Wine-king's dominion be
free;
Let it sound in the of the tyrant knell;
No license to pave the dark pathway to hell.
vi.
Come forth to the rescue Ennoble your life
Cast the ballot to end, not engender, foul strife;
Redeemed from the passion and baseness of earth,
Prove your lineage immortal, and honor its birth
Ts the King Of the Monsters, and till 1t is dead,
We shall walk in the shadow, in darkness be led,
For the "Chld Of the Ages" excel
While there's license TO pave the dark pathway to
he'll.