Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-07-10
Dermunt farms.
FARM OF L. BRAlNERD, ESQ.,,
ST. ALBANS.

pany with Mr.. Brainerd, OF visiting his
farm, located mile or two north Of the
village Of 81. Adams, and were so favorably
impressed with what he has accomplished
upon it in comparatively few years, that
we obtained his consent TO publish some
facts connected with his system of farming,
that cannot fail Of being Of much interest
ID the agricultural community. In justice
to Mr. Brainerd We will here state that
while he is willing that others should have
any benefit Of his experience, he is decided
ly opposed to newspaper Dotoriety, and
would much prefer that his friends aud any
one interested should visit the farm and
make such Investigations for themselves as
may seem desirable. !.
The Farm
contains about 200 acres Of land, mostly
cleared, aud is generally composed Of
gravelly soil, or loan. 1t came into the
possession Of Mr. Brainerd about ten years
ago and was very much run down in cOndi-
tion, from bad management, so much so that
the first winter the hay cut on it was hardly
sufficient to keep four cows and two horses,
which would indicate an extreme degree Of
impoverishment or neglect. Last winter, or
some nine years thereafter, there were kept
on this farm rs bead Of cattle, mostly cows,
pair Of mules, another Of horses, and
three colts Of different ages.
The hay and large amount of coarse
fodder, quite quantity Of grain and 24OO
bushels Of sugar beets, were raised upon the
farm, only requiring for this large stock, in
addition, the purchase Of shorts or other
kinds of provender, as this is fed the year
round to cows giving milk.
system Of Farmlng.
To accomplish so great a change in
farm in the time indicated, will lead directly
to the consideration of the question Of show
it was done," and we are glad to inform our
farmer readers that it has been brought
about so far as the capital is concerned, en-
tirely from the income derived from the
farm, and is not, as some might suspect, the
result of the outlay Of money otherwise
furnished or supplied.
That there has been some head-Work not
entirely the OutgrOwth of the soil we will
admit, aud to its directing power may be at
tribused in great measure results such rs
are seldom secured from agriculture in New
England.
| Mr.. B. sells milk in st. Albans and fol
this purpose it is necessary to have supply
tho year round. Over 40 cows were giving
milk at the time of our visit aud as the soil
ing system is practiced with those they are
kept in well.arranged stables all Of thu
time, with the exception Of two hours daily,
when they are turned into pasture. They
were being fed on dry hay and sugar beets
which would last until june 25th, and prov
ender; were in excellent condition, and from
appearances must be giving very satisfac
tory return at the pail.
About 100 tons Of soiling corn is raiseC
annually and this is all cut by horse pOwe
and along with the straw fed to the COW
during the winter, or as long as it will last
The hay is fed without being cut. Th
beets are fed from the time Of harVsstin
until near July. Last year he raised 24Ol
bushels from two acres. Provsnder Of som
description is fed the year round to cow
giving milk. as it is necessary to keep up
continual supply for customers.
Aside from the milk sold, which amount
! to some $500 annually, large quantit
of cream is furnished for restaurants, an
this having to be skinned sweet, the mil
from which it is taken is fed to calves raise
to supply the wants of the dairy.
The stables are arranged with sinks bC
: hind the cows for the reception Of the uriu
o and droppings, and as absorbents are used
! dried muck and sawdust---a large quantit
4 of manure is made, last year amounting
n sou loads. Here is one of the benefits
o the soiling systom much more manu-
!. made, saved and applied where wante
O producing greatly increased crops. II
n cows receive good attention. and are card'
v daily through the winter, Mr.. b. claimiI
" more benefit from this than from feed
a grain alone.
Crops Raised.
Great dependence is placed upon the HI
crop, and the meadows are being put in
the best condition possible for this purpol
:, and when this is successfully accompllshe
VI it is intended TO let them remain in gra
= keeping up good production by tOP-dre'
~ ing. This crop was looking finely, and it
thought the product will reach 80 tons.
er Sixteen acres are in fodder corn and N
-, b. calculates on product Of 100 tons cv
" ed for winter use, besides that fed gre
- " during the season. 1t is SOwn in drills a
~ the varieties are the sweet and the SOuthe
" white corn. Think there is not much diff
- ence in the quality Of the two kinds as f
" der. Some twelve acres are devoted to IL
10 corn. This is harvested when the &C
= commences to glaze, as at this period
~ stalks are worth much more for stock O
= As the grain is also fed, the most profit is
g. allied in this way. We omitted to ment
w that the sowed corn cured for winter is
harvested until the ears have attained
80 % considerable size, making it more vAlua
~ on this account. The quantity Of 81
~ ~ SOwn per acre in one bushel
NV About fifteen acres are devoted to whC
~ oats and barley.