The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-08-17
From the Boston Globe.l
THE FARM-YARD CLUB OF JOTHAM
By DR.. George B. Loring,

By Dr. George B. Loring,
SEVENTEENTH NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. ROOT
CROPS.
When the club assembled, Mr.. Hopkins
warmly congratulated those present on the
good fortune which had brought them once
more togther. He alluded to the difficult
ties in business which he had been obliged
to overcome on account of his son since
they last met, and rejoiced that after hav-
ing discharged his duty to the best of his
ability to save his name from even a
shadow of financial dishonor, he had been
enabled to return to the quiet associations
of lothian, and to renew the discussions
of those interesting topics which belonged
to the club. He had a sympathising word
for John Thomas, and Peter 1lsley, and
William Jones inquired kindly after jim
Bell. and turning to the Squire he asked
with special interest after Fanny and "the
boy" and was inexpressibly grateful that
the trial was over To the school-master
he was unusually cordial and as he took
him by the hand he felt that for some
reason there was new aud more elastic
force in the young mans blood, and he
saw rare exaltation in the young mans
face.
"The subject under discussion" said he.
sis one which has attracted great attention
in modern days, and has been carefully in
vestigated in all the best agricultural coun-
ties Of the northern latitudes. There has
been strong prejudice against the cultiva-
ton and use of roots in this country, am
aware; and the abundance and cheapness
of Indian corn, one of the most healthful
and nutritious of all grain products, have
led many to believe that such roots as man.
Colds, Swedish turnips and carrots are
unnecessary and superfluous. In England
where corn Is not cultivated and the crop
is unknown, the Swedish turnIp has long
been held in high favor: and IN our own
country, at last, in spite of opposition, the
Swedc and mangold are now con-
sidered as valuable adjunct to the CON-
mon articles which are used as food for the
cattle. have seen many herds which
had been well fed during the winter on
hay and corn meal, and which Indicated
in the spring want of some greater va
riety of food in order to preserve their
health and good condition. l have also
seen herds which have bad reduced
amount of meal, with daily feed of roots
and came out in the spring in the finest
condition, and ready to receive the highest
benefit from run at grass during the fol-
lowing summer. Those of you who are
familiar with Mr.. Webster's views on agri-
culture, as expressed publicly and private
lY, cannot have forgotten the enthusiasm
with which he dwelt on the value Of the
turnip crop to the agricultural resources of
Great Britain. He was undoubtedly cor
rect; and it is now generally conceded that
the introduction OF the turnip into the
great field crops of England has wrought a
happy revolution in the whole system of
farming there.
81 am aware that during our discussion
of the subject of cattle, in one of our early
meetings Of the club, some interesting re-
marks were made with regard to nangolds,
swedes and carrots, and the best methods
of cultivating them but it has been deemed
well to consider these matters more care
fully; and will now call on Mr.. johnson
to give his experience in root-culture."
''Mr. President" said Mr.. johnson, II
have for many years devoted portion of
my land to root culture, and think have
found it profitable. | formerly confined
myself to grain of various descriptions, in
addition to hay, in feeding my dairy cows;
but | became satisfied that they suffered
for the want of green food of some kind
during the winter, and begun on the use
of mangolds for my COWS, and turnips for
my young cattle and steers. For these
last eau only say that they will be kept
in fine thriving condition on hay of very
ord nary quality If they get in addition a
peck of turnips, even four or five times a
week. The health of all my cattle has
vastly improved since begun this mode
of feeding. In order that | may present
my plan of raising the mangod and the
Swedish turnip, have brought to the club
statements which / made years ago to our
agricultural society, and which contain my
present views generally.
".uangOM Wurzel.-The crop of man
gold wurzel, which enter for premium,
was raised on one acre and one-eighth of
land. The soil is a heavy, clayey loan
(and that is best for mangolds), has been
years under cultivation and IS portion of
the field which | drained with tile and
have heretofore described. For three
years after drainage 1t was devoted to grass
crops, having been la d down to grass the
year before it was drained. Last year, it
was MANFRED on the sod, twenty-five
l0hdB or llttle more tnhu tlBut COTus 10
the acre, and was ploughed with Mich
gan plough. May 23 it was narrowed,
furrowed and planted to corn with super
phosphate in the hill. Early in November
following it was tall ploughed.
early in May of this it was MANFRED
with eight cords of barn-yard manure to
the acre. ploughed again and left until May
Goth. 1t was then ploughed again, har-
rowed and drilled. Seven cords of man
ure, compost of barn-yard manure, with
sand and muck, were applied in the drills.
The seed was soaked thirty-six hours in
water poured hot upon it. The tops of
the drills we're carefully rsked. An i'm
plement made of plank, four inches wide
and three feet long, from the bottom of
which projected pins two inches long and
an inch and quarter in thickness, and
seven inches apart, and on top of which
was fastened frame handle, made by
mailing narrow strips of board, two and
one-ha feet long, to the ends OF the plank
and fastened together at the top by short
strip a foot and half long, was used for