Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1874-02-13

was called to order by Prof Collier o.
Burlington, president Of the Board, and
Fenelon Arnold, was chosen chairman
Mr.. Henry A. Willard made a briel
and cordial address of welcome, trusting
that the present meeting would be one
of increased interest and practical bene.
fit.
MR.. DAVIS PAPER.
Mr.. M. w. Davis then read q paper
ON " Adaptation" 1t Is not our purpose
TO attempt report of the papers at this
meeting as some or all Of them will be
published entire hereafter. Mr.. Davis
paper was well received and had in it
many excellent points. As the discus
sion which followed took up some of
these points, we may say that he touched
upon the adaptation of woman as to her
duties as the wife of farmer, the soils,
stock, etc. Speaking of stock he ex-
pressed his opinion that at least one
fourth of the stock in the State was not
worth their keeping. In raising crops
he thought intelligent cultivation would
produce 100 bushels of corn to the acre
as well as less.
Following Mr.. Davis paper, Mr.. 2.
+. Jameson of Irasburg, said that some
farmers would 60 to market and failing
to get full price for their butter would
almost reproach their wives for making
an inferior article, claiming good cows
and good pastures, when in fact they had
furnished nothing else by which she
could make first quality of butter.
Among other things proper supply of
pure water was needed, besides other con-
veniencies which not unfrequently added
to the good quality of butter. Speaking
of raising corn, he said that returns of
700 farms in Orleans county showed that
they hardly averaged half an acre of
corn to each farm. Their soil was not
adapted to corn and they could not with
safety attempt to raise it. Of course it
was different here in Connecticut River
Valley. He approached the adaptation
of wives to their part of farmers work,
with caution. He thought Mr.. Davis
had pictured strong and healthy wom-
an which could not always be the case
The wife as the mother and head of the
family often had too much labor, and he
would not encourage too constant labor.
Mr.. Foster of Barnet thought some
kinds of stock not adapted to some
soils. Stock suited to hill farms was not
adapted to river farms. To woman he
would allude only with justice. He de.
nounced the idle young men given to
habits of smoking as Migrants and the
pests of community, and who made but
terfiies of young women who would 9th
erwise have become useful.
Prof. Collier said there were certain
laws of adaptation. Those who worked
intelligently have the full force of ma
ture, though subjected to extraordinaries
as frosts, foods, etc. Of the dairy stock
Fifty per cent probably furnished the
profits of the State, while the other fifty
perhaps barely sustained themselves. He
spoke of the fact that probably not one
farmer in twenty could tell the cost Of
any of the departments of his business,
and adaptation should include many
things outside of production, including
transportation to market.
Mr.. Halbert of Essex, speaking Of
wonan's duties thought the children had
not been correctly educated and fol-
that reason public attention should be
called to it.
Some of the speakers having express.
ed doubts as to raising 100 bushels of
corn to the acre, Mr.. W. r. Kimball
called on Mr.. N. G. Pierce, who gave a
somewhat amusing account of his acre
of corn some years since and of the ex-
animation of the committee who brought
in verdict of 1872 bushels and 20 quarts.
On the river he thought it no marvel
to raise 80 to 100 bushels to the acre.
Referring to woman Mr.. Pierce said be
believed q wife adapted to the husband,
and the husband to the wife told the
whole story, which was received with APP
plause.
w. P. Gage said that preaching was
not always practiced. Mr.. Davis had
omitted to tell us of some of the vices
of the young men, and rather thought
it must be because he (Mr. d. was a