davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-06-19

Bee keeping is honest, honorable and
easy. II needs but little capital and no un-
usual skill; neither great strength nor pro-
found learning 1t does not depend on po-
litical favor or smiles of the rich. Rural,
but not rude royal. but not rigorous-it
asks but the smiles Of nature and q quiet
spot. 1t makes by saving, and does not in-
jure by taking 1t requires many opera
tivcs, but they board aud clothe themselves,
requiring Of their employer only cheap,
suitable place to store the product Of their
skill and industry, ready for his or her use,
or for market. 1t can be done almost any
where, and more money made from the
same amount Of capital and labor than in
any other business.
Many farmer loses more than he makes
by not keeping them properly. lie and his
family grow prematurey old with plowing
md reaping, moving and hoeing, and all
the drudging incident to tilling, while every
flower is saying to them, 'send us bees, and
wen relieve you from wasting toll" These
sable servants challenge competition in con-
yerting the sweet treasures Of nature to their
masters use. Spare them life--it is short
at best. Let inventive genius protect and
aid them--they will appreciate favors. We
cannot afford TO do without bees, much less
10 keep them in pro6tless manner. The
profit Of bee keeping may, no doubt, be
doubled; and he who shall provide feasi-
bic way TO do it will deserve niche with
him who makes two blades Of grass grow
where one grew belore.--F. r., in Be-
Journal.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-06-19
9te 4stpiug.
HONEY EXTRACTOR.

i want TO say word or two about the
honey extractor that is blown up by most
everybody. As for my part, l shall let it
alone for the present, as comb honey is
worth from ten to fifteen cents more than
the other any way, and | am satisfied that
there is nothing gained by its use. For in-
stance, take two hives; take out one frame,
aud extract the honey. Take from the 9th
or and cut the comb out and replace them,
and one will refill as soon as the other. This
/ have tried successfully. The facts about
the matter are those When bees are well
fed there is no scarcity Of material for
building comb and the young bees that are
not old enough to carry honey are the ones
that mostly y,work at this business also, all
hands at night make comb, and cap over
honey.
Bees will not consume any more food
when building comb than they will when
they are idle, as they eat all they want any
way. This matter Of consuming so much
honey to make a little comb is all "bosh."--
Cor. Bee Journal.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-06-19
For the VERMONT FARMER.
80 NaN 1hNSN
FARM DUTIES.

am farmers only daughter, and do not
think that the ladies, in writing for the la
dies column, do just right in saying that the
men ought to help in the house, and we not
to return our thanks by doing such things as
are most convenient for US to do in helping
them. l should like to know what disgrace
there is to farmers wife in helping to
gather hay or milking few cows if they
have the time to spare. To be sure some
people say, if their father or husband want
any help let them hire boy; now, if your
family is small why not let your wife or
daughter have what you would have to pay
them if they want to help you in your out
door labors have done quite number
of things out Of doors of which my nearest
neighbors would say, "Why do you do SO
and so, when your father is able to hire 2"
They would not be seen beyond their flower
garden at work if their daughter is seen
by certain young man out in the garden at
work, her mother fears that he will not ask
her to some place of amusement, or make
her fine present. OF course this young
man is not much of farmer. l think that
l would much rather be farmers wife than
one of any trade that can think of, if he is
honest and upright; no matter how poor he
Pis, for he may become rich man sooner
than one that is ''Jack at all trades" and
good for nothing. Colby MAY.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-06-19
WHERE DO BEES GATHER
HONEY 2

From the flowers, of course, but not ex-
clusively by any means. Indeed, many Of
the gargsn flowers either yield no honey or
grow in such shape that it is impossible for
bees to extract It, and bees are compelled
to rely for the greater share Of their stores
upon trees, grasses, bushes, vines and weeds
which are not, as generally understood, fow-
ers. The linden or Eastwood tree is very
productive Of honey, and the next sweetest
tree is the wildwood or poplar. The soft
or whito maple yields both honey and pol.
len, and so do willows of all kinds Cur
rant bushes are favorite sources of supply
to bees, the black currant being best. The
Alsike and common white clOvers yield hon.
ey in abundance, and buckwheat in most
sections makes 6ne feeding ground. The
bee has wonderful faculty for extracting
sweetness from not only flowers but dews,
sap and various other substances which only
bee would ever dream contained honey.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-06-19
Notes and queries.
SOrreI.


have nm acre of land that was stocked
down last year, should judge one-haIf sor-
rel and one-half clover. How shall / kill
the sorrel and benefit the clover? How
would it do to use top-dressing of one
fourth gypsum, one-eighth quick lime, and
five-eights ashes, sown broadcast? CIR.
Waitsfeld, jane s.
Many people labor under the mistaken
idea that sorre is a product Of sour land.
On the other hand, some claim that it will
not grow on sour soil, and that applications
Of acids to the soil will eradate it. The
fact is that sorrel obtains its acid from the
atmosphere it will grow on poor land, be-
cause other plants will not attain strength
enough to crowd it out, but il makes the
best growth on soil which is rich but sparse
ly occupied by other plants. Applications
of lime or ashes do not hinder its growth in
the least On new land which has been
burned over it is almost always present, and
makes its best growth oftentimes on the site
Of og.heap. Seed your land heavily with
clover or timothy, after making it rich
enough to cause good growth, NOW it a
few years, and the sorrG will disappear
Some writers advocate thorough hooing to
kill it out, but We prefer to take our share
of back-ache in hoeing clean land, leaving
the work Of determination to be done by O
good and profitable crop of hay.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-06-19
TO PRODUCE GREAT LAYERS.

In every lot of hens some will be better
layers than others. Let Us suppose we start
with six Houdans, cock and 6ve hens.
Probably two out Of this FIVE may lay thirty
eggs per anDum more than either Of the 9TH
ers their eggs should be noticed, and only
those eggs set BY following this plan for
few years, very great increase in egg
production may be obtained. My attention
was called to this subject by a friend having
Brahma pullet,I which had laid peaEly
three hundred eggs in one twelwe-month,
though valueless as fancy bird, aud the
quality descended TO several Of her progeny /;
and have since found other instances which
prove oonclusively that vast Improvement
might easily be effected in nearly all our
breeds were that careful selection Of brood
stock made for this purpose which the fan
cier bestoWs on other objects. 1t is to be
regretted more is not done in this way,
am perfectly certain the number Of two
hundred eggs per annum might be attained
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-06-19
CONFESSIONS OF AN AGRICUL-
TURAL WRITER.

Mr.. Harris so well known to the readers
of the american Agriculturist, says, in
the last number of that journal:
II have now lived for ten years on this
farm, and have written "Walks and Talks"
every month during this time. feel some-
what ashamed to think how much of my
puely personal matters have presented to
the public. commenced to write without
thinking | told precisely what happened.
Unfortunately, what happened proved to be
larely mistakes and failures. [ sent to
Gregory, of Marblehead, for some seed of
his best variety Of onion, and sowed it on
raise white beans and too weedy to sow
buckwheat on. You can imagine the result.
My first crop of oats was eight bushels per
acre, and of barley twelve bushels. Farm
ing is slow work. have not yet got my
land anything like as clean as want it.
keep working and hopiDg-"Yes, says the
Deacon, sand walking and talking" g"-Pre-
cisely. That is what l wanted to get at
l have told of SO many disappointments
and dlscouragements that while, as said
before, commenced this series Of articles
httic thihAlnS tnab snouIu continue W
write them SO long, yet l do not know how
to stop. l believe in farming, and feel sure
that it can be made not only pleasant but
profitable business. And if my land is
getting cleaner and richer and my crops
larger and more profitable hope to be ex.
cused for saying SO. have told of my
failures and the reasons for them. | want
to tell of my success-if ever have any.
l think the readers of agricultural papers
do not need information so much as exhor.
tation. What we need is encouragement.
We want to believe that good farming will
pay-and it most certainly will. Or, if it
does not, no other business in the commune
ty can long continue.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-06-19
FOOD FoR PIes.

There is no doubt in our minds OF the
benefit from feeding crude oarbonaceous
matter to swine, when they are kept in close
pens. The avidity with which hogs eat rot
ten wood is we'll known Charcoal is bat
another form. The utility Of feeding wood
has long been recognized. We some years
since substituted the ordinary Western stone
coal with tho best results, where from 200 to
500 hogs were kept in close pens on the
refuse OF the city hotels. Something Of the
kind seemed as necessary to them as salt
TO strictly herbiverous animals. We have
known them TO consume a pound iu tho
course Of day, and again they would not
seek the coal for some time. Just what the
particular use Of coal is in the animal econ
omy, is not so easy to answer. Swine are
especially liable to scrofulous and inhamma-
tory diseases. Carbon, in the shape Of coal,
is an autiseptic, and the probability is that
it acts in this way in purifying the food.
Western Rurdl.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-06-19
Stuck Raising.
WORKING BREEDING MARES.

Raising good colts from mares kept for
farm work may be made very profitable. In
this, as in all stock raising, good breeding
tells. WelLbred mares OF good size, form
and temperament, coupled with frst-class
stations, and used carefully. are very suro
to produce colts that will bring remunera-
tive prices. 1t is no injury TO the dam or
foal to put the mase 10 moderate work dur
ing the period Of CESSATION. On the contra
Ty it is beneficial TO both, The strength,
endurance, docility and speed Of horses,
which constitute their chief value, are devel-
oped by use. And it is doubtless true that
the more perfectly these qualities are devel-
oped within reasonable bounds by use and
by inheritance. the greater is the certainty
of their being transmitted 10 thAlnext gener-
alton. Power that is active, that exerts it.
self, becomes intensified thereby, and assumes
greater prominence in the animal organism
than dormant power, and is more readily
transmissble. To illustrate this point
the COW that is habitually MIXED during
CESSATION, will bear heifer calves moro GER
tain 10 be good mixers So the mare thai
is used, not oyer-worked, during CESSATION
will bear stronger colts that will become
more readily submissible to, and more easily
endure labor Not only the condition Of thu
muscular and bony structure and the nerV
Gus system, but the mental condition, il w
may use that word as applied to animals
the state OF the temper, during CESSATION
affect the young whose organs and character
are being formed. 1t is therefore importan
that mares in this condition be treated witt
kindness, not worried or annoyed, whether Q
work or otherwise. The breeding mar
needs plenty Of sound nutritious food. /
put to work the food must be increased, els
mare or colt will suffer. Mares in gooC
condition are frequently used up to the tint
of foaling with no apparent injury to th'
foal. After foaling. the mare should have |
period of rest while sucking. Farmers oftel
use mares while nursing, both for farm worI
and driving. Too much care cannot be takel
if this is done, not to heat or overwork thl
mare. 1t may be said that it is hardly SAT
or judcous to use the mare at this time
The practice Of hitching a colt to the shat
and dragging il about in the heat over hart
roads cannot be too strongly condemned. l
the mare must be driven on the road, tn
colt should be tied up in the barn or alloWe
to lie loose in strong, high pen, where
can neither escape or hurt itself Bette
for the colt TO stay there all day than to fo
low the mare on the road. III mares ar
needed for constant hard work during Ii
summer, but can be spared during the VIII
ter, it is q good way to have them foal
autumn, as early as they can be spared, Z
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-06-19
Pell-SpalEers.

Gid n big knave and little honest men
will worship him.
A gentleman caught cold by kissing Ia
dys snowy brow.
Moses is said to be the only man who broke
all the commandments at once.
ale fell dead and expired in two min
utes," says Georgia paper of the death of
negro.
Why is a milkman like Pharaoh's daugh-
ter? Because he takes little profit out Of
the water.
Placards on the st. Louis street cars de-
clare that This car can't wait for ladies to
kiss good-by."
Most kinds of roots and barks are now
used as medicines, except the cube root and
the bark of dog. A'N
A California poet has bought mule, and
brother poet chronicles it as n remarkable
instance of self-possessIon.
Cencus Officers; "Whnt age, madam,
shall put down ?" Madam, after mature
reflection: ',What have you put down for
the lady overhead"
A good instance of absence Of mind was
that OF an editor quoting from rival paper
one of his own articles, and heading it
"Wretched Attempt at Wit"
81 like crying children" said an old bach
elor to friend. "Ilow extraordinary
WhyP' ''Because they are taken ont Of the
ROOM" was the kindhearted reply. ,a.
A French paper points uthow the passion
for gambling in this country is shown by the
fact that even in wedding notices it is necess-
airy to state that there were ''no cards"
A book binder had book brought hin, to
be rebound. After tho job was finished he
made the following entry in his day-book ;
To repairing the "Way to Heaven" twenty
five cents. f't!
Crematory age-"Oh, maj ma! Johnny's
got the urn and is spilling pas ashes over
the floor" "Oh, what a naughty Johnnyl
Got tho feather-duster, and sweep your poor
father right upr'
Better than reading the riot act or calling
out the lire-engines is the way Detroit has OF
dispensing u crowd. There they simply pro-
pose taking upa collection for poor wild
ow. 1t never fails. ...I
negro boy was urlVlng q mule IN Jh
maica, when the animal suddenly stopped
and refused to budgo, won't go. ehP" said
the boy. Feel grand, do youP s'pose
you forgot your faddcr was Jaekass."
We arc not surprised when people living
in the baclwoods sometimes fail to hear Of
newspaper changes for a year or two, bu
when aevspapers in the state still continue
to address their exchanges to the 81. Johns
bury Times which has been dead nearly two
years, it don't look very enterprising il
them. Several do 1t.
An cnterprising superintendent IN one ol
our city Sunday schools was engaged las
Sunday in oatechlzing the scholars, varying
the usual method by beginning at tho end OF
the Catechism. After asking what We're tn
prerequisites for the Holy Communion AM
Confirmation, and receiving very satislacto
ry replies, he asked "And now, boys, tel
me what must precede BaptismPn Where
upon lively urchin shouted out, "a baby
sir" Faeti followed by sensation ant
laughter
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-06-19
THE GROWTH OF FEATHERS.


In the skin Of bird where new feather
is 10 grow there is q little pit, and at the
bottom of this an elevation or pyramid; ex-
tending up one side Of this pyramid is a
groove or furrow. deepest at the base, and
gradually growing shalloweF, until it aisap-
pears near the top; from each side of this
farrow great many smaller grooves extend
around to the other side Of the pyramid, and
these also decrease in depth, and at last dis
appear just as they arc. bout to meet on
the side opposite the large furrow. The
whole pyramid is covered with skin, and tho
surface is made Of the same scales, or fat
tened cells, that are found over the rsst OF
the body; but, instead of falling of when
they are pushed out by the, new ones below
them, they become united or welded to each
other, so as to form horn coat over the sur
face Of the pyramid, and, as new cells growat
the base, this coat is cast of, the surface
is pushed upward till it breaks at its thin
nest part, which is, Of course, the smoothest
part with ridges opposite the large furrow /;
and then as It is pushed onward and flatten-
ed, It assumes the form Of a feather, the
ridge formed In the main fhrrow being the
shah, while the cast of the side grooves
forms the separate barbs Of the vane.
When all the Vane has been formed and
pushed forward, the pyramid loses its
grooves and becomes smooth, and the wall
now formed on its surface, being Of the
same thickness in ell its parts, docs not
break but remains, tubular, and forms the
quill, which is attached TO what is left Of
the pyramid. A fnger-nail or a hair u
formed from the same kind of scale in the
same way, the process differing only in those
features which give to each organ its special
character. Feathers, scales, hair, claws
and nails, are all made alike from the dead
fattened cells crowded to the surface by the
process Of growth. - Popular Science
| MOafllv.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-06-19
Correspondence.
For the vERMoNr FARMER.
DOES FARMING PAYp

The above question is being brought for
ward and discussed in farmers clubs, in the
agricultural press, and in the private social
circle, but so far as / have seen no one has
assumed a standard of values, or what con.
stituied one. The discussions as carried on
tend to turn the attention of young men
away from the farm to other pursuits, TAX
ing it for granted that farming does not pay.
l take very different view, and shall
insist that it pays, till standard of values
is established that L cannot bring farming
up TO. What would you say Of that man
who married at 25, worth $500 all told,
bought farm on credit, brought up fami-
ly Of eleven children, schooled them in tho
higher semiuaries of learning, and when
threo-sCOre years have passed by 6nds him
self still on the farm with every luxury that
heart can wish, and farm and stock his
own? This is no imaginative picture, but a
fact, and in looking over the country | find
many cases far ahead of the above. Farm
ers with from five to ten thousand dollars
are numerous, while many can count their
twenty-five thousand dollars, and all the re-
suit of judicious management OF the farm.
Can the mechanic, manufacturer, or mer.
chant show better results 2
Even slips6od farming pays. We have
too many such, yet they live we'll, educate
their children, and acquire some property,
Similar management would bankrupt any
other pursuit.
Let us cease saying farming don't pay, or
trying to show why it don't pay. Rather
let us show our children how well it pays.
There is much more could say on this sub
ject, but will wait till learn what stand
ard is assumed then the subject can be met
underStandingy on both sides. Yours for
the farm, +.
Dell Farm, PGssumpsic, JWne 8.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-06-19

oak and the roots Of huckeberry bushes
were woven in and out Of the sod as thickly
as the wiry grass roots in new prairie, yet
at il he went. The place was some thirty
miles from Philadelphia, within five min
utes' walk from the depot and would be val
liable some time.
Such change came over that boys be-
havior you would hardly have known him.
Early and late he was busy on his lots
Cutting and grubbing and never minding
bllsterod hands aud aching arms. The mag
ic self-interest was what walked him up.
Many a father might interest his boy in
farm.work if he would only pursue sim
liar system. If he hates the farm and de-
termines to leave il the minute he gets his
freedom, try giving him a share in the prof
its Of something. Mark off patch Of rich
ground for him, and tell him to make the
most he possibly can from il. Provide him
literally with oil the help he needs in the
shape Of fertilizers, seeds, plants, and inn
plements. Only insist that the work will
be his very own. See il he will not 20 to
work on it with will that is surprising to
one who has witnessed his former style Of
working. Or, if it suits his taste better,
let him have charge Of the poultry, with a
percentage. Or, give him pair Of calves
TO raise, which you would otherwise send to
the butchers. Aud take caro- that they be
not the "boy's calves, but fathers steers"
There is nothing like an act of injustice to
rouse boys spirit, and make him hate the
old home farm. Be sure that eyes as sharp
as those of the outdoor world mark your
business transactions within the little home
sphere. Dishonesty, in dealing with childs
penny transactions, stamN your character
in the eyes Of your children, as much as de-
frauding your neighbor would stamp it in
his estimation. 1t depends more on the
father, than on the farm, whether the boys
are content to bide there when the time is
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-06-19
THE OLD FOLKS JOIN THE GRANGE.

THE "AD ~ Hoi'>. .-.0U. So-'' ~ A'-
wife,
And see II there wen find the 10 brighten eoun-
try life,
There's Deacon Jones and Square Flint and good
neighbors, too,
Have put their shoulders TO tho wheel TO help the
great work through
IT'S true Pm old and feeble strength has left
my arm,
That used 10 swing the ax and scyhe on this timehon
ored farm,
IT'S not that would think to add much TO worldly
store,
For while we live we've plenty, wife, and why need
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-06-19
THE HONEY BUSINESS.

1t is said that from careful estimate there
are two million bee hives in the United
States. Every hive yields on an average a
little over twenty-five pounds of honey. The
average price at which honey is sold is TWEEN
ty-6ve cents pound SO that, after paying
their own board, the bees present us with a
revenue Of sS,S00,000. To reckon 1t anoth-
er way, they make clear gift Of over a
pound Of pure honey to every man, woman
and child in the United States. Over twen-
ty.three and one-third million pounds of wax
are made and given to us. by these industri-
Gus workers. The keeping of bees is one Of
the most profitable investments that our peo'
pie can make of their money. The profits
arising from the sale Of surplus honey aver
age from fity to two hundred per cont. on
the capital invested.