davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-06-12

three times a day, doing IL with judgment,
aud never allowing any part TO get dirty,
but having at all times nice clean bed for
tho sheep to lie on man that will do all
this, and who has quick eye to detect the
slightest symptoms Of disease or lameness,
want Of appetite, arrangement Of the stom-
ach and bowels, nervous restlessness, &C., a
man that can tell from the eyes and ears
and general aspect that sheep is not doing
wen, and who has proniptness and energy to
separate that sheep at once from the flock
and give it the requisite attention; a man,
say, that will do this, is treasure indeed.
never hope TO find such man ready made.
Possibly, BY taking bright, intelligent boy,
that is.willing 10 learn, you can educate him
up to it.
This is the real reason why so few of our
breeders Of improved stock ever attain emf
nent, success. They are generally men of
wealth, who do not attend personally to their
stock. They pay large prices for the best
animals, but cannot get them properly at.
tended To-. Taking this view of the matter,
doesit not seem pity that intelligent farm
ers, who take care Of their own animals,
Isho0ld waste fheir time 10 attending poor
stockf When we think how difficult Il is
to hire this kind Of care, judgment, and at
tcntion, il would seem that farmer could
raise much better animals than those breed
ers who leave their stock to the care Of men
not personally interested in them.-Cor.
Neso York Times.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-06-12

work on farm or in the farmers house. ]
have known them to be kept waiting for
their pay Eve or six months after their time
was out, for the sake of getting higher
price on some article of produce. l have
heard girls tell how much harder it was to
get their pay than it was for the music
teacher; when the girl worked a week of IL
hours each day but Sunday, and that day
about hours, for So, while the music teach.
or got So for 10 lessons Of an hour each /;
and how the lady of the house would draw
the So bill through her fingers and tell them
how they must use it, etc.
Frequently, whom a hired man asks his
employer for money it seems to come grudg-
iDgly, and the inquiry is, "What do you
want to do with it ?" aud "Ilow much must
you have ~ After man has earned his
money he doesn't want to be made to feel as
If he is under any great obligation for his
pay. lie has fulfilled his part of the con-
tract, and it is the duty Of his employer to
pay him without making him feel that
he is still indebted to his employer
Harvest is generally trying time for
month hands they are generally required
TO do two or three hours more work in day
than day hands, while day hands get from
50 to $3.50 per day, the month hands get
ting from 80 to 80 cents per day. If there
is jug Of water to get, he is generally
called on to get IL; Or if the reaper gives
out, he is sent to the barn for bolt OF
tools, ETC., while the day hands rest.
"Farming does not pay" is an excuse
with many men. That dscourages. If it
does not pay, it is the fault of the employer,
not Of the hand.--Cor. Record and Farmer.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-06-12
For the VERMONT FARMER.
ROOT CROPS.
Waitsfeld, MAY 80.

have no doubt but most farmers would
like good supply of roots for winter feed
for stock, whether of cattle or sheep. When
we have them we'll stored away we perhaps
may forget in some degree the baCk-aching
time we had in wedding them in the first
stages of their growth.
There are always two sides to a question
| have just been reading one side and now l
want to say few words on the other.
Farmers, at the best they can do, have q
hard time in getting their crops into the
ground and wedding and hOeing, but of all
the hard and tiresome jobs farmer can
have, the raising Of root crop is the most
SO. There is no end to il; the hoeing lasts
all summer, and if there comes lowery wet
day in haying the roots must be weeded.
There is no rest for the sole of your foot. The
first hOeing you want your spectacles on to
distinguish root plant from weed, and If
you should have an acre, or even half that,
it would take as long to hoe them as it
would ten acres of corn or potatoes.
1t 50 happens sometimes that other work
drives. HayiDg must bo attended to. We
all know and realize the necessity OF cutting
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-06-12
gaoies' Department.
For tho vEnMoNr FARMER.
FARMERS WIVES AND DAUGH-
TIERS.

There has been much discussion in conse-
quence of farmers daughter daring to ex-
press her opinion in regard 70 dress and
cleanliness. Endorse her opinion most fully.
It is noble thing to know bow to work
each ono in their own sphere. We will sup
pose two clnsses Of farmers: those with
plenty Of money, and those with but little.
The FIRST can hire girl to do tho drudgery;
then they are at liberty to dress and take their
case while the poorer class must do their
owD drudgery, consequently there is but
little time to rest. But they can be neat
aud tidy; they need not wear a dark print
for afternoon every day in the week it is
conceded fact that bright prints will last
longer than dark ones, 50 in the matter Of
economy think the Farmers Daughter
has the advantage. As to raking hay, L
went with my mistress to help once just be-
fore thunder shower, but our awkwardness
created so much amusement with tho men
that we were ordered to the house post haste.
We got out Of our sphere.
To be sure thrifty housewife will see to
all things as they come in order. Each day
brings its own work, and it should be done
every day as it comes, and not left to ac-
cumulate from day to day, but what noble
principles the "Farmer's Daughter" seeks to
impress upon our minds | wish every
mother and daughter in Vermont would be
in earnest to do all they can for the cause
Of temperance let some work go, if need
be, and devote some time to it in whatever
way you can do the most good if you have
q talent for writing write for the temper
ance paper. If you have not fathers and
brothers, go and plead with others there
are plenty Of them, and word spoken in
season how good is it ! it is like apples of
gold in pictures of silver so says sacred
writer l wish l could hear from the
"Farmer's Daughter" again. Please give
us another problem to solve. Go on and let
your principles and arguments be echoed and
re-echoed from every mountain and hilltop
in New England
Will our sister at Waterbury please in
form US what style of aprons would be best
for those of US who have so much to dot
l don't quite agree with her about ruflles
being over-nice. call them very nice, and
if she will come to Lincoln will show her
how to iron them in less time than she can
dress once; F.; it all pays.
wish to say to "P. l.. II" milk must be
skinned when it is ready or it will spoil.
And about the rising girls running away, 1
think l know remedy for that just send
an enterprising young farmer after them;
they will soon return. ELIZA A. Moody.
Lincoln, Mag %.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-06-12
StOtk Raistna.
"HoLsTEIN" OR "puToH ~

Prof. Low, alluding to the introduction Of
cattle into England, from Holland, says -
"ln comparing these varieties Of cattle
(those Of the Vale Of Trent, across the Ouse
through the central plains Of Yorkshire, TO
the river Tees and beyond it) with the races
of the opposite continent the large dingy
breed of the Fens may be compared with the
native black cattle Of the fats Of Holland,
and the more varied kinds north Of the
Humber with those of Holstein and Jutland
whence the finest cattle Of the north Of Eu-
rope have been derived. 1t is not unreal
sonable to believe that the latter, during the
early period of Saxon colonization, may have
been brought to the country (Englandl by
the Jutes and Angles who settled in this
part Of England" They came over in the
9th century, A. d. ass, landed on the island
of Thanet and settled in Kent.
The positive and direct testimony Of such
a witness as Professor Low, as cited above,
stands and will continue to stand in the esti-
nation Of the American association Of breed
ers Of thoroughbred Holstein cattle against
as many deniers as may be summoned, wheth-
er from Utrecht, Boston or Concord.
Professor Hengcveld says: "Holstein is
local and may not be given to cattle bought
in North Holland; to do so is to underrate
the Dutch cattle" Is IT'D Let us sec the
force Of this statement before granting it..
Jersey is local and may not be given to cat
tie bought in England (where many Of our
Jerseys were boughD; TO do SO is to UNDER
rate the English cattle. We DO neverthe-
less, call them Jersays, as we call the black
and white cattle from North Holland, Hol-
steins--because the finest Of the former breed
were derived from Jersey, as the "fnest Of
the large black and white cattle Of North
Holland were derived from Holstein," ac-
cording to Prof. Low-"the native cattle of
the marshes and flats OF Holland being
black, according to Prof Low. Hence, the
reason for calling those cattle purchased in
North Holland Holstein seems plain and sat
isiactory. Cultirator.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-06-12
JOHN JoHNsToNs MAxIMs.

There is no great success in farming with
out hard work, but it is the good thinking
that costs, not the plodding alone. 1t is up
hill business to go against the common judg-
ment Of all your neighbors, but it you are
sure you are right 60 ahead, no matter what
they say. The servant is not above his
master in industry. The farmer must be
able to lead the field and know whether
man is doing good work, and the workman
must know that he knows what days work
is. l said forty years ago that would use
plaster it it cost me $40 ton, but clover
and plaster alone will not keep up the fer
tility Of grain farms. When | see man
draining his farm, and carting out notable
piles Of well-rotted manure. consider him
safe; he can borrow money to make improve
ments, and the sheriff will not often tic up
ut his hitching-post. When the midgc de-
mands an early harvest, or the ground 'is SO
rich that the straw falls, have almost saw
ed crop by sowing salt. Farmers miss it
in giving up the old worm fence it is the
cheapest in the end 4; l wire the stakes to-
gcther and keep the bottom rail up it is
awkward looking, but | have sound rails
now that were not new forty years ago. l
have burned good rails in my time, but l
did not know as much then as do now.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-06-12
CONSTRUCTION OF FISH PONDS.

DR.. j. II. Slack says, in the Tribune
Use no wood whatever. l have had an ex.
tended and expensive experience in regard
to fish ponds, and have always found that
stone or brick is cheapest in the end. In
building dam first lay up line of brick
extending to within an inch or two Of the
line Of the top of the dam. Now pile your
dirt on each side of the wall and you can
bid defiance TO the musk rats, which have
often in one night destroyed the accumulat-
ed fishes OF years. Do not trust to plank,
the vermin seem rather to enjoy eating their
way through them. The proportions of the
dam should be as follows Let the breadth
on the top equal the height, and the base
be three times the height. Thus if your
dam is ten feet high, let the width of the
top be ten feet and that of the base thirty
feet Face the sluice way with stone or
brick and let it extend to the bottom of the
pond. Place at the outlet two sets OF
screens Of galvanized iron wire, the upper
most being for the purpose of catching any
leaves, sticks, ETC., which may find their
way into the pond, the lower to prevent the
escape OF tho fishes. One inch mesh for the
upper and one-half inch for the lower will
be about right. Arrange these so that they
can be readily removed and cleaned, and
thon keep them clean.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-06-12
General 9grituItmre.
A SHORT TALK ABOUT THE
BUSY SEASON.

8 The busy season on the farm is now at
hand. Every moment Of daylight seems pre-.
cious time to the good farmer. The weeds
seem to multiply every night aud to grow
with satanic rapidity uever, seen in any val
liable grain or vegetable. To keep the plows
and hoes active is of course necessary to the
abundant crop that means profit and satisfac-
tion later in the season. We don't intend to
harass anybody with worn-out advice about
going deeper down, or planting an acre more,
or never allowing weed to go 10 seed, and
much else that didn't read good TO us in the
years past, after we camO in frpna long hard
days work In the hot sun, where day after
day VIC had deem doing our level best. 1t
was just little aggravaing when we took
up the agricultural paper to rest little be-
fore going to bed, to read column of twad-
die about Just how we ought to do each day
in the week. We confess to having sometimes
unloaded hot double ender at the editor
who did not give us credit for knowing
enough about our business to send us to shell
ter in rain storm. We know each farm
and each farmer as well as his working cap.
ita is different from his neighbors and must
inake' Ms NeTy nuLufal consequence Wlue
difference in his plans and crops, and what
they should be each man ought to know
best.
What we did like in our agricultural pa.
per were hints that brought new ideas, prac-
tical experience direct from the farmer,
breeder or fruit grower. We don't believe
farmers want silly Aattering things said
about them or their business or, on the
other hand, weak dilutions Of works on agri-
culture.
We did not start out to talk about what
we thought of our agricultural papers while
down on Hillside farm, but to say that not
withstanding it ioas the busy season, there
was one thing that would pay and should not
be forgotten, and that is, to take the good
wife and all the "waues" and 90 TO the
grange picnics, and grange feasts, and give
all hands an occasional holiday. 1t pays.
There is an isolation in farm life and lack
of sociability that wears and makes people
grow old about as fast as hard work. Don't
forget the holidays. Farmer.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-06-12
HOW TO CURE SPLIT HooF.

had horse that had both hoois split
from top to bottom. He could not walk
without his feet spreading apart. kept
him for three months on straw one foot deep
in the stable, but it did no good. At last l
went TO blacksmith's shop and had heavy
shoes made which spread wide at the heels.
To these heavy shoes there was welded, at
the outside Of each heel, piece made Of
shoe nail iron. These were made to fit
well around the hoof, about an inch below
the hair. l let the pieces come together
within half an inch each and turned up
about three-fourths of an inch. In the
turned up part hole was made to receive
bolt an inch long with a square head, aRd
screw and nut on the other end. On mailing
the shoes on and putting the bolt in and
screwing on the nut the foot was brought
together. In this way l was enabled to
work him every day If wished. Previous
to this my horse had not walked ono mile in
three months Next day after l had the
shoes put on drove him in q carriage
twenty miles, and have used him right
along.-COr. Cincinnati Gazette.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-06-12
SLAVERY.

Give praise TO that Just One above US,
Since tho dusky-hued slave broathos freei
No moro to a hard-hearted master,
With trembling he bends the knees
No more will the bark Of the bloodhound
De heard on his fugitive track,
No more will the warm crimson current
OoEo in drops from his quiverng back.
Noble hearts that have prayed for the dawning
OF liberty's glorious day,
Labor now for your fairer skinned brothers,
For the viest of servants arc they
Their burdens are bearing them earthward,
Till thoy crawl like the worm in the dust,
And their soul, with It's god-given powers,
Is tarnished with mildew and rust
Ye, who feel for the suff'rings Of others,
Have pity wherever you be;
IT'S tho demon OF drink that enthralls them,
And they struggle in vain to be freei
The hearts Of their wives they are breaking,
Their children shrink back from the blows,
And the anguish the helpless ones suffer-
The Father Of Light only knows.
In Gods name, ye men with conscience,
Will nothing, nothing, be done'
Shall we sit at our ease whlo poor drunkards
Sink down to their graves one by one'
Or nobly arise from our stupor,
Hold our Light till the erring ones see.
Then the angels shall echo the tidings
That this glorious republic is free!
Minnie Hayes, in Boston CHitirGtor.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-06-12
ASHES, LEACHED AND UN-
LEAHCED.

Prof Goessmann, in reply to a question
at the meeting of the State Board Of Agri-
culture at Fitchburgh, Mass, said:
The potash is extracted from leached ash
es, and they are worth something, but not by
any means as much as uucached ash
es, so far as potash is concerned. If you
want phosphorc acid alone leached ashes
would do as well as unleached, but if you
want potash aud phosphoric acid, should
prefer to pay double the price for unleached
ashes. 1t depends entirely on what you
want to apply to your soil.
The chemical composition of ashes varies
very considerably, not only with different
kinds Of wood burned and from some varia.
tion in the ash of some wood, but also be-
cause Of the admixture of foreign substances
which are almost invariably present, and be-
cause the ingredients they contain possess
various degrees Of solubility. If burned
quickly at high temperature, sort of vtri-
tication seems to ensue, the potash and silica
uniting sufficiently to render them unavaila.
BILE, at least to partial extent or if burn
ed very slowly, at a low temperature, they
may contain more carbon, and therefore pos
sess greater absorbent power for grasping
the free ammonia brought within their
reach.
Morton's Cyclopedia says: "Even when
these Iashes are treated with water, as is
done in the manufacture Of potash, much
Of the valuable matters, particularly phos-
phate, remain in the residual ashes. Their
relative value depends upon the kind of wood
from which they have been prepared. As
general rule, the ashes of the oak are Of the
smallest, and the ashes of tho beach Of the
greatest value. The ashes Of the former
wood contain only four or five per cent. OF
phosphates, while those of the latter yield
one.iifth part of their weight of these valua.
BILE ingredients. In 100 lbs. of the beech
there is as much phosphate as in cwt. of
fresh human oXcrcment; there is sufficient
for the growth OF 1000 lbs. Of wheat straw,
or for 1000 lbs. of grain"
As to the Improvement of leached ashes
by age and exposure, we should suppose that
it must arise from the fact already alluded
to, that they contain more or less carbon,
capable Of absorbing from rain or dew or
snow or air the free ammonia with which
they may be charged.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-06-12

our grass before II becomes tough and
woody. 50 we 60 on with that business un.
ill we have bad weather. Then we have
tune to survey our turuip field or beet field
as the case may be. We are astonished at
what a jump the weeds have taken. The
corn and potatoes, too, are getting weedy,
and need attention, but Il is now or never
with the root field, so We 90 at IL, and l
have seen farmers al work on field that
was so weedy that l would not hoe it for all
the roots that could be raised on the field.
In regard to farm itOck needing roots 10
promote health, 1 have great doubts about
that Good hay is only dried grass, and
there is no reason why they cannot thrive on
it nearly as well as on green grass. A good
many years ago, when my father raised a
crop of sugar beets, he started to winter Ia
calves. We boys fed the beets to them dai-
ly from the first Of the winter. They grew
finely, but one morning we found one Of
dead, inl . few days another. and 30 they
died one after the other until only six were
left. The largest and best generally died.
The disease was called the black-leg. Now,
if the roots were so prOmOtive Of health why
should those calves die? We thought at the
time the roots caused their death. So tax.
ing all things into consideration, do not
believe shall raise roots very extensively
to feed stock first, because other feed is
cheaper; second, because it is better third,
because of the tOiIsomsness of the wedding
aud last, beCaGse would rather raise corn
and potatoes. G. S. 2.
Plain6eld, May 30.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-06-12
For tho.VERNoNT FARMER.
GIRLS AND FARMERS WIVES.

In the VERMONT FARMER of May 22d, L
noticed some reasons given by "a" why
girls are averse to marrying farmers. She
implies that all farmers daughters are
taught to consider labor as degrading that
it is beneath them to associate with those
who labor, and that even their brothers are
not suitable company for them, because they
are lawful awkward creatures"
Probably some regard labor as degrading,
but think most farmers daughters would
choose to labor moderately, rather than live
life Of idleness.
No wonder that girls shrink from the
great variety Of duties and great amount Of
work imposed upon farmers wives If they
use their eyes and help their mothers, it will
not be of much use to "keep hush, as one
correspondent suggests.
Can they not see how their mothers and
friends, who are farmers wives, drudge,
how careworn they are, and how little credit
they receiver For how many men even de-
ny their wives money because they "do not
earn anything" and how many consider it
unnecessary for their wives to have help,
even when they have extra work to do, while
perhaps the men have help all of the time
and extra help when extra work is to be
done. As if they were saving by running
their wives health, and shortening their
lives.
About farmers sons being awkward, are
they not liable to bo so ? Not that they are
any worse, or are too blame for it, but on
account of the education they (do not p re-
ceive. How few farmers take the trouble to
give their sous good educations, and espe-
cially to encourage them if they no not like
to study, thinking it unnecessary for farm
er to have much hOok-learning, Aud after
working hard Of course they are too tired to
90 into society much, and what is more nat
ural than that they should be awkward, not
being accustomed to it though their sisters
ought to encourage them to 60 out with
them instead oil looking down upon them.
What recreations have farmers wives n
Lectures, literary societies, etc., are likely
to be few among farmers,-th ough l hope
the oranges will remedy this evil,-and af-
ter working hard they do not feel like walk
ing to take the fresh air, and Of course the
horses are at work or resting after having
worked hard.
do not see but that farmers are as liable
to use tobacco, drink, and swear, as other
men. I also think that there are young
men who are neither farmers, nor yet
"snobs," and that if farmers in general were
better educated, and their lives had more
pleasures instead of so much work and mo-
notOny, young girls would not be 50 avcrso
to marrying them. B.