Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-05-12
CORRESPONDENCE.


, your statement oil the manner OF ieeulU
steers in England you say twenty-five pound
Of corn is given them. which will give yer
wrong impression 10 the people Of this con-
try, as they will suppose it TO mean India
corn. In England, the word corn is use
10 mean all sorts Of grain hope you vii
correct il, rs the feeders will think that it j
the twenty-five pounds Of corn that fats
rather than the turnips."
We were aware Of the meaning Of "com
ia England, yet knowing the vast quantit.
Of Indian corn shipped from this country e
that, for feeding purposes, we could not fee
sure that Indian corn was not meant. Doe
Mr.. Thorp think that twenty-five pounds o.
barley or oats, the other feeding grains Of
England, would not also take the credit Of
fattening from the turnips, in the minds oi
experienced feeders Yet if they would try
the experiment, they would find it pretty
slow work to fatten big Shorthorn or Her
eford steer on a ration of twenty-five pounds
of corn, ,ciihom roots.
NOVEL FEED TuR SHEEP
Perhaps It is not generally known that
sheep can be and are pru6tably wintcrcd
on the coast Of Maine, upon fish in the place
Of grain. Yet It has been practiced there
over since the Meuhaden fishery was cstab-
lished. These fish are taken in vast guam
titles, for their oil, and the "pomace left
after expressing the oil is what is fed to
sheep. 1t is well relished, seems 10 do no
injury, and is thought to promote a heavy
growth of wool.
This fish pomace becomes very offensive
to the smell by keeping, and some way Of
preventing this whether it be used for feed
ing or as a fertilizer, is very desirable Hon
5. l.. Goodalc, for many years Secretary OF
the Maine Board Of Agriculture, has been
experimenting to discover some way of pre-
venting the rapid decomposition of this sub
stance lie thinks he has succeeded, and
writes to us that he has sent us a quantity
of " protected pomace" to be experimental
with lie says
" NJ dear sir II have requested Mr. Morris Il
send you a barrel Of fish pomace which treated
last summer by method intended to fully protcc
1t from decomposition, and consequent Often
siyeness, and loss OF ammonia, often very serious
would like your opinion Of this, both rs 1t opens
and of its iortlzing efficacy after composing and
use 1t seems very desirable II we can, oppressive
its full value, and, at the same time to convert 4
| into an ino1ensiue article Of commerce
Its use as an adjunct to coarse fodder (ackinl
in heterogeneous constituency for growing sheel
and cattle, finds many warm advocates among ou
seaside farmers, and its use is extending liu
the drawback Of ofensiyeness, is very serious
oven in winter, when alone or chiefly, it is used
have strong hopes Of wholly overcoming THU
| obstacle
This fish pomace, known also as fish GU
ano," is believed by chemists to be the bes
and cheapest substitute for Peruvian guanC
accessible to the New England farmer Blu
owing TO its rapid decomposition, it quickly
loses great portion Of its ammonia, and be
comes comparatively worthless, as well a
very offensive. But if it can be preserve,
for one year by Mr.. Goodale's method o
any other, so as to retain all its virtues, i
would have very extensive sale. And
it proves that, before using it as a manure
we can pass it through our sheep with bene
fit to them and no very great loss to its fen
tilizing value, we think Vermont farmer
would soon come to regard it as worthy O
their attention.
RHYME AND REASON.
The following lines were written NOR
than fifty years ago, by Levi Bah, of Gran
vile, revolutionary soldier long since de
ceased, Tune, "Soldiers Return"
My Mountain Home.
Once purchased lot, little healthy spot,
on the south side Of mountain,
plenty Ms you pleas
. And OF water there fountain.
took my axe. and cut some timber FOR hut
Then laid the logs together;
covered DER the dome, and 1t made little home
And shelter from bad weather.
For the past and the cold northern bla
Blowing, bent the trees the mountaini
Then the SHOWS did descend and covered DER the land
And the water CONCEALED at the fountain.
Then again the spring and the birds began sing,
And set myself at work the fountani
cut and feled the trees many you please,
And cleared up my field on the mountain,
continue my lot In the uneven spot,
And cultivate my held on the mountain;
procure bread and meat for my family To eat,
And drink at the crystal fountain.
Among the mountains round, things for comfort may
, be found.
Such as wine meat, milk and honey;
purchase, here and there, things TO eat md things
, 10 wear.
And go to Uncle Sam for my money!
We take pleasure in printing the old PEI
, sioner's ditty, not only because it has
: pleasant and pastoral ring, but also becau;
of the rather unusual style of the letter i
which it comes TO US. The writer says:
Agricultural Editor Of The Vatchmdn;-I a
aware that conductors OF the press are annoyt
I by requests to publish stuff called poetry, much
which, to a cultivated mind, is perfectly DISCUS
ing. Therefore do not request you to prii
Uncle Lewis lines about himself, unless you ca
do so from choice, and shall not say stop m
paper II they do not appear.
Yours truly, j. =. Il.