Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-05-19
Farming In Illlnnis.

In my last letter gave you some account Of my
observations among the farmers Of Illinois. These
were continued In different parts Of the state
What has been said Of the fertility Of the soil
true. farmer calledmy attention to an enclosed
field Of some hity acres, on which n crop Of corn
had been raised for forty consecutive years with.
out manure, and the last crop q good one. The
scdlmontary soil Of deep black, vegetable mould
seems almost inexhaustible yet II has been dis
covered by shrcwd farmers that crops are matcri-
ally benefited by manure on some farms sawa
large accumulation Of well pulyerzcd manure,
which was considered q nuisance. Corn is crop
which seems most genial to the soil large crops Of
which are annually raised, and large portion Of
II is sent east This cropis almost wholly cultiya-
ted by horse power Two men will plant, with
appropriate machinery, fifteen acres In day; and
was informed by farmers, who were in the habit
Of raising large crops Of corn, that two men would
take care Of two hundred acres until harvest hut
the crop Is not a. large rs supposed, FROM thirty
TO forty bushels being the average yield Butthe
corn has an enemy whose malice is constantly man
Tested The ehnch bug Is annually doing much
damage 1passed over large field Of ungathorcd
corn late in the winter, on one side Of which were
many acres where there WIS scarcely a stalk stand
ing "Ths, said my friend, Is the work Of the
chinch bug" found these bugs concealed In
the husks yet upon the ears, sometimes In large
numbers Their dcprcdations are much feared,
and unless there shall be some way " destroying
them. OF some changes IN the seasons shall prove
ruinous to them, many farmers have occasion 10
feel soliotous Tor the future They also prey
upon spring wheat. which has been quite profit
able saw some fields which had not been har-
vested and would not pay ior harvesting Winter
wheat escapes their fomging, and thus far has
been mainly unharmcd
The Colorado bug was destructive 10 tie pota.
toes. The crop generally did not repay the uller's
toll The article was scarce, and used rather as
luxury than common.
The general aspect Of the state struck me pocu-
liarly. could not sec why Ia The midst of such
fertility Of soil, there was not more general APP
pcaranco Of wealth Truo, thcro are large and
splendid mansions with most beautiful surround
ings residences q king might covct yet there was
far larger proportion ~ SMALL, uncomfortable,
inconycuient residences than one is accustnmodio
see in the moro Eastern states was n one Dog
house which had bat one r1om for sc1on adults.
and yet there were, close by, cribs OF corn com
tanning four thousand bushels. When Nermonicr
comes ont here and keep. up bic habit. Of indas-
try, ho generally ha. comfortable bmdngs bui
soon-qute too soon falls habits of Incidence.
and lives ASIDE others should think sam slofen.
his brothers and cousins, were quite numerous iu
this state
As q general rule, farming tools aro LEFT exposed
to the weather during the whole year ] saw
corn-planter, cultvntor and plough. in lie
field, whore should judge they were used nst
Rcapors and mowers were let in the field, or
drawn mp by the side Of the fence near the
house These implements are expensive and
would last much longer Il properly taken care Of
With suitable shelter there could be enough saved
in few years to huid HOUSES for ain farming Inn
pements as wen az buegies and farm wagons.
Tor these also are frequently exposed to The
weather. one farmer from New York told me
that there was moro wasted here ilan many saved
where he had previously been
One drawback 90 tlo financial success. Is tie
large amount OF unprodnctivo railroad stuck u
yon VIII examine your railroad cu.dc. you viii
find squares, lamlelosmms trianglcs and almost
any geometsi,al figure found in Euclid made ly
railroads crossing each other TueScof these lcad-
Ing roads are about passing from che proprcion
hands, because their earnings cam never iquidate
the liabilities. Tie railroad fever has given place
10 that more formidable disease consumption
Counties were frequently bonded for large sums
with the expectation oi rcapug large rewards
But their rcapng has been like that Of the grass
hopper region.
An things taken in 10 the account u lad a
good farm in Vermont. I -houd keen H. aud not
leave a climate I WAS accustomed TO- 90 seek a
home elsewhere see by some Of your papers
tina, in consequence Of The cold winter there aro
many farms for sale and the owners are wishing
to 90 toa wnmcrclimate. just lci them come ont
here whore the snow has been tso ieet deep and
the Thermometer frequently below zero, and goout
on to the pHliries whore there Is a steady aud cone
slant gale, and they will think come 10 the con-
elu-ion that the cold of Vermont Is not sopcrfegty
unboarab'e, the cold ia connection with The
prairie winds are here contcntcd mind makes
home happy, other things being equal
Town Hill April 1873,