Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-01-14


Montpelier, was elected chairman.
Hon. Addison Peck delivered the opening
address. lie said that we were called to.
gether upon a subject Of vital interest to
Vermont and it was Of the greatest i'm
portance that We, the farmers, should take
an interest in these meetings. The State
could do nothing without the farmers. Mr..
Peck congratulated the people Of the State
that the Legislature had seen fit to provide
for State Board Of Agriculture, whose
duty it was to hold meetings similar to this
throughout the State He welcomed the
Board to East Montpelier, and welcomed
the farmers present to the meeting. Co.
operation between the Board and the farm
ers was needed to fulfill the mission Of the
Board. There is no danger Of oyercsti-
mating the Importance Of this cooperation,
nor is there any danger Of oyerestimating
the Importance Of these meetings
Professor Collier emphasized the remarks
made by Mr. Peck, aud stated that one
great object desired in these meetings was
a lively discussion over each subject intro
duced. In these discussions are the real
pith and advantage of these meetings.
lie cordially invited criticisms on all the
papers read.
The chairman next introduced A. NJ.
Foster, Esq, Of Cabot, who read paper on
"Growing and Selecting Seeds" We give
Mr.. Fosters excellent paper in full
GROWING AND SELECTING SEEDS
In growing English grain and hood crops good
soil is desirable, thorough tillage necessary,
and good seed Indispensable Il Is not a little
strange that matter of such vital importance
as the quality of the seed should be 70 often
neglected. Probably there is no improvement
connected with farm operations that will pay
so large profit for the time expended as this.
We can hardly estimate the annual loss TO the
farmers Of Vermont in this direction
will give a single illustration a gentle
man moved into Marshiied and brought with
him some seed wheat. His neighbors induced
him to SOW a bushel OF a variety they were
raising lie sowed a bushel of each variety
side by side upon the same kind Of soil Al
harvest one lot gave him FIVE bushels, the Other
fifteen, making difference of ten bushel,
per acre in quantity, with probably a cores
ponding difference in quality.
The labor OF cultivating and harvesting q
poor crop is just about the same as of good
one. AT a time like this, when farming is q
very close business, we should look well to the
details. Any method not too expensive that
will increase our crops is not beneath our
notice. " sye sow, 50 shall We reap We dc
not gather grapes from thorns nor figs from
thstles." The truth Of this is practically de.
monstrated upon every farm in Vermont eacl
year. In other words, the kind and quality Of
the seed determines the kind and quality Of tho
product
This matter is just as perfectly under tho
control of the farmer as is the production Of par-
ticularly desirable characteristics in animals
| do not mean that the first trial will be a per-
feet success, but there will be an improvement
exactly in proportion to the care and skill of
the person attempting it. Like produces
like" We accept this principle in the animal
world. Let us do so in the vegetable and we
have a saieguide.
But some one inquiries the cause OF the de-
crease per acre of our annual products, and the
alarming increase of foul weeds and insect
enemies | reply, " The iniquitics of the
fathers are visited upon their children Our
day Of reckoning has come in this matter
If this is not satisfactory, since this is a day
of tea parties and centennial celebrations, 90
back with me hundred years What do we
find? The soil was rich in all the elements Of
plant food, which was a partial offset to the
rude implements for cultivation then in use
but as the soil grew less fertile, farm nipple
ments were improved and new ones invented
thus preserving the equilibrium. But how
about the seedi 1t is doubtless true that upon
the introduction of new varieties of farm pro-
ducts farmers exercised much care in the
raising and selection of seed Indeed they
were under the necessity of growing it, as the
seed business as now developed was unknown.
The grain was threshed with fail and care
fully famed or winnowed, thus securing Il
better quality Of grain than we get now. Upor
the introduction of the thrcshing mill a reyo
luton was wrought in grain growing not favor
able to improvement in the quality of seed
First, we got all the small and imperfect ker
nels second, we threshed different kinds of graf,
in the same barn, thereby getting them mixed
third, it was not well cleaned fourth, GU
fan-mills, for the most part, went out OF us
and were allowed to run down, and last, bu
not least, our shiltless neighbor, if we had one
was sure to send us his kind regards in tn
shape of cookie, India wheat, or somethin
more lasting,
While | would not discourage the use
labor saving machinery, | would recommen
the plan Of top threshing some of the be,
grain for seed. Most farmers admit the nece
sity Of more care in the selection of seed, b.
their actions say, "a little more sleep, n litt
more slumber, and spring finds them dippin
into the common bin which contains samp
Of almost everything but pure, clean seed.
A little observation and reflection will sho
us some Of the bad results of sowing small an
imperfect seed. 1t lacks vitality, makes
I..st.l l. r. - II
does not fill WELLS later in getting ripe
short, is in just the condition to invite dsea
like rust, blast or smut, while repeated sowr
only aggravates the evil, until we begin 10 tai
about bad luck, uniayorablc seasons etc, al
finally conclude it has run out, and we mu
change our seed.
Fat cattle never get lousy. 1t is the poo
weak animals that are troubled in this WA
Let us take hint from this, and keep OF
vegetable products strong, vigorous and health
and thus protect them from parasites.
If any one still doubts the correctness of tn
theory, let him try this experiment Screc
some wheat, and sow both kinds separate (,
live years, taking the poorest of one and ii
best OF the other each year. The result of tn
experiment | need not predict How man
farmers do this in effect leave YOU to answe
We all desire to improve, but in this matter
seed there seems to be two methods in N
when it is run out the other is, to select Il
best 10 prevent its running out. While
not object 10 changing seed, as we are qui
likely to get it from some one more carei
than ourselves, it is important that we get
the truth IN the matter, as we are not like
to undertake any improvement until we a
convinced OF its necessity.
II changing seed is not the only panacea r
all the ills referred 10 above, or the best on
farmers ought to know ii. Happily we are n
without some facts bearing upon the cas-
Asa Alden, Of Calais, has raised the san
variety of corn upon the same kind of soil +
forty years. do not learn that he intends
change his seed until he has tested it mo
thoroughly. Judge Pearce, of Calais, b
raised the same variety OF potatoes for for
years, by selecting his seed 10 the fall from h
best specimens. lie has also raised his oy
seed OF all kinds Tor twenty years. | need n
add that be always has one of the best, if n
The best garden, in Washington county. /
not tell me that would be too much trouble T
you, when one who was so unfortunate in ear
lille as TO lose leg has set 50 good an exampl
NJ. y. NJ Fisher, of Cabot, have rais
the same kind Of oats upon their farm
twelve years, with manifest improyemer
Alyah Elmer, Of Cabot, has raised the comm
oats upon his farm for twenty years. In
yorable seasons they weigh from thirty five
thlrty'six pounds per bushel. lie has pass
through all the oat ieyers, including the No
way, without an attack, and now furnish
seed oats to his neighbors. Mr. Elmer uses
goon ianmill 10 screen out the small seed