Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-08-27
Matters and Things.
The eFnrmer,"

Although, was las certain distinguished
statesman claims he was not) allowed the
privilege sin Withdrawing from the editor
ship of the FARMER, Of taking farewell Of
its readers" and have ever since then full
filled my promise to continue to speak
through its editorial columns" now that re.
mova to greater distance compels me to
forego that privilege Qor such have ever
esteemed it to speak to the FARMERs pattons),
my sympathy is still with those in the Green
Mountain state who believe in progress, who
battle for the purifying of the public SER
vice, and who unite to raise the social, men-
tai and moral standard of Gods nobility,
the working people-producOrs Of the worlds
wealth. and welcome the FARMER as it
comes, week by week, as a messenger from
home. Mr. Hubbard has made of the agri.
cultural page of the FARMER what it never
was before he took charge of 1.-THE best
agricultural journal of New nd,-which
neither DR. Hoskins nor myself ever could
have done. The Doctor fed the people on
dry science, with very little practice l gave
more practice but little science, but Mr. Hub.
bard seems to give them both, and in the
most desirable-the applicable-form. The
paper never was a political paper, except as
the interests Of the working people demanded
it, in the overthrow Of ring rule, so the alb
sence of politics in any considerable guam.
titles does not surprise any, and am glad
to say the paper seems to be going on in the
path of reform.
Massachusetts Farming.
In passing from Vermont to Boston, and
from thence to New York and Pennsylvania,
recently as well as going about some parts
of Massachusetts, and Vermont a month or
two ago, had chance to compare Yer
mont agriculture with that in Massachusetts,,
and the result is largely in favor of Vermont,
great as may be the room for Improvement
eveH there. One thing that surprises me is
that there is more waste land in Massachu-
sets, near the cities, than in rural Vermont.
Along the lines of the Central Vermont
railroads there are hundreds of miles where
all the land along the road, between the
track and the fence, is planted to potatoes,
and in most instances | observed that they
were well hoed. On the other hand, in
Massachusetts, there appear to be belts OF
untitled land in almost every field (of course
there are exceptions), strips along the fences
around planted plots, &c. The soil is light,
dry, and poor, and good field Of grass is
hardly ever to be seen there is nothing like
the Vermont fields of luxuriant clover aud
timothy. Potatoes aud grain do not pro.
duce nearly as much, on an average, as ID
Vermont. Corn is staple crop, and yields
we'll, though not 50 we'll as in New Jersey
and Pennsylvania, where it is worth while to
look at it. Tobacco is not very largely cul-
tivated, until we get down the valley of the
Connecticut, toward the state line. Fields
of tobacco begin to be common here, aud
| In Connecticut
1t appears to DO staple crop. The fields
are really beautiful, covered with the dark
green plants, in most luxuriant growth, and
kept scrupulously free from weeds. As 4
passed through, Monday last, there was OnO'
in while plant which had sent up tai
blossom spike and the white blossoms wer'
just peeping out. Very fair to look upon
aud probably the raisors will make money
by it, but could not help thinking tina
hungry children are suffering for the bread
which might be grown on the same soil, AM
which their parents might pay for with tn
same money which now goes for tobacco
But shall VermOnters be the first to cast I
stone at the tobacco raiserH The one raisel
hops, 80 per cent of which probably go Il
make his neighbOr drunken, and the othe
raises tobacco, which goes to deSdsn til
nerves, destroy the sensibilities, and max
, the man beast. Corn is largely grown
Connecticut, and is looking splendidly. 70