Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-10-15
AGRICULTURAL.
WHEAT RAISING on GBAND ISLE.

WHEAT RAISING on GBAND ISLE.
At the meeting for discussion held in con.
nection with the late Grand Isls Farmers
Far, Mr.. j. A. Chamberlin, of Grand Isle
related an experiment with clover as man
ure. lie manlrel three acres heavily with
ordinary 5arn-yard manure and plowed 10 a
crop ot clover on an adjoining three acres,
and sowed the whole to winter wheat The
clover piece produced six Or seven bushels
more per acre than the other.
Mr.. Chamberlain had noticed that plaster
had been used on ridges where there were
lime deposits wiih good results, but on flat
lands wnere there was less line it was used
TO less advantage.
DR.. Ho-kins explained that plaster con-
tanned a large per cent Of sulpaurie acid,
which dlssolves the shell deposits, making
them soluble, and thus improves the pro-
ductiveness of the soil.
Mr.. William Brown spoke at length of
wheat culture. lie th1nght we ought still
To raise some wheat in Vermont, though we
could not hope To compete with the West.
lie referred TO tie large cr0ps Of wheat
raised In Vermont in early times. but
thought he saw the hand of Pfoyidence in
the lessened production. as it was manifestly
tor the benefit Of the Western farmers who
Could not compete with US in many other
things more profitable than wheat culture.
First came the insects then Door seasons, until
within the last ten years he had found it
impossible 10 raise more than one good
wheat crop in three, and hence it don't pay.
lie thought more money could be made IN
butter or something else in which We can
have the benefit of fdirer competition with
other sections.
DR.. Hoskins thought there was little dan
ger OF New England returning ID wheat
raising TO any great extent. and he did not
think Providence bad cursed our wheat lands
Tor the especial benefit of the West. The
Western wheat growers were having pre-
elsely the experience the pioneers Of our
own State had IN this thing they were ex-
hansting their lands in the same way. The
only thing 10 be done is u bring the old
lands back to their former fertility.
Mr. Doug las agreed with Mr. Brown re-
gardlng the present futility of cbmpeting
with the West, bat if by better system Of
farming and doubling our wheat crop We can
enter into such Competition successfully. we
should do 1t. Il he robbed tue sod oil its
fertility Providence woald not interfere to
prevent IT, but if he improved the soil he
would be sustained by Providence We are
rewarded according 10 our acts He eu-
larset upon tae Importance of un ierdrain-
log. Bat we eau ouly dsterlnine what is
best for our farms BY practical experience
and sound agricultural education If our
farmers had applied the same amount OF cui-
ture 10 their business as professional men
have to theirs, Our agriculture would now
be as far advanced as that OF England and
Germany.
M. BrOwn repeated that ne thought
Providence had more TO do with the de-
creased wheat production than aoy condi-
ton of the soil. Though giving the tame
general treatment 10 the soil in successive
years, he had failed to raise good wheat
'rop every year; the chances iepended more
1n Insects ami the character Of the seasons
han a. ything else. He had been unable TO
produce crop Of whea, the last four or i've
years On account of the weevil.
Mr.. Chamberlin said for the past twelve
years ne had sOwed his wheat as early in the
eason as possible, and had experienced li,tle
trouble with the midge.