The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-12-03

The second days session of the board of
agriculture, at Ludlow, on Thursday, was
more largely attended than on the first day.
Ex-Governor Ryland Fletcher of Caven-
dish, who was to read paper on "What
are the serious and common impedimcnts
that hinder the prosperity of the farmer"
was unable to be present on account of i'll
health
The paper of the session was read by G.
Horace Hubbard, esq, of Springfield, on
the
WINTER CARE OF STOCK. .
The speaker commenced by saying that
in climate like ours where for so great a
/, proportion of the year stock is wholly de-
pendent upon the care of the husbandman
for even existence, proper attention should
be given them.
He remarked, 10 continuation, that while
stock, as general rule, thrlved during the
summer months it was equally true in
far too many instances that what was
gained in summer was lost in winter. To
obviate such result Mr.. Hubbard called
attention to the following considerations
/. Stock must be carefully cared for dur
ing the autumn If you would have it do we'll
1
loses vitality by exposure to cold and
storm. Good feed and suitable shelter are
indispensables.
Frozen frost bitten grass will not answer
the purpose stables must be so construct
ed that stock may be kept warm. The
raising and use of roots for stock was
warmly recommended. Stock should be
fed regularly, should have handy water
ing places.
Food should be adapted to the various
classes of stock. Cows such as will make
milk. young stock should be fed on such
food as will promote growth, animals of
work, that which1makes strength. Stock
must not be confined too closely, especially
young stock such as colts. Plank floors
are not good for horses to stand upon,
cement or stone bottoms for stables are
very much better for the feet. Grooming
must not be neglected, many horse has
been saved for years, because he had been
faithfully groomed after having been used
The care of sheep was also considered and
many good practical suggestions advanced,
such as keeping them quiet, but one person
shall have the care Of flock if possible.
Clover hay was believed to be the best
variety for sheep. Racks for feeding
should be on the Outeide of the enclosure,
sheep need feeding three times day.
Many other valuable points were lpre-
scented for the consideration of the meeting
The address was very practical and evident
ly gave great satisfaction to the farmers
present. A discussion of the various points
, of the address ensued, which was participa-
ted in by Gen. A. F. Davis of Cavendish,
Col. j. B. Mead of Randolph, H. ]. Par
ker of Andover and others. The discus
sion was of so great interest that an ad-
journment did not take place until near /
o'clock p. m.
: The afternoon session began at 2 o'clock.
The first speaket was j. G. Stickney,
esq.,, of Tyson Furnace, on "The principles
of fertilization"
After stating the general principles of
fertilization and the relations to it of Or
ganic and inorganic matter, he proceeded
to the discussion of the effects of various
scientific principles which enter into de-
composition of matter and the effects of
rain and other ingredients in the natural
fertilization of the original soil. In clear
ing the land in the early history of mcst
farms the wood and brush was burned,
leaving probably 100 bushels of ashes to the
/
ness which it mas scarcely possessed since ;
dwelling specially upon ashes, as among
8 the most valuable of substances to improve
and strengthen land for cultivation. He
: | considered the losses to the soil by the pro
q duction of certain crops, because of the
escape of ammonia, an important element
OF strength In all fertilizers. The loss OF
; | ammonia was one of the serious causes oil
3 the declaration Of our lands.
Y The paper was full of instruction an(
met the hearty appreciation Of the audi
ence. 1t gave evidence of scientific cul
ture on the part of Mr.. Stickney, and wa
Il the second paper during the sessions SO ia
:, held that indicated that there were two sci
' entifc cultvators of the soil among tn
8 farmers of Vermont, Mr.. Pringle of Char
= lotte, and Mr.. Stickney.
IL Avery pleasant and profitable discussion
= ensued upon the PRINCIPLES presented il
:, the paper. Mr.. Spaulding of Cavendisl
" took issue with Mr.. Stickney upon seyera
\ points, presenting his own experience il
a. the use OF fertilizers, both in Vermont an
d New Jersey, and gave much practical in
n | nlis VI iIuuiOW spun
of his experience and knowledge of tn
. Washington, the Mason, and Lord Fairfa.
a farms, on the Potomac. That while tn
:, soil of these farms needed recuperation b
n strong fertilizaton,yet the gardens of thes
n homesteads, which have been under con
Ia slant cultivation for hundred years, pre-
/ duce as generously as ever. Thousand
of dollars are annually spent in oyste
m shell lime simply to.produce crops of grasi
a A practice prevailed in Virginia of "layln
the land aside" to rest tor years, after til
raising OF tobacco and other crops whic
made great draught upon the soil. Thi
,t was a practice prevalent to allow the Ian
d to be recuperated from the natural fertiliz'
4 ton they received from the rains and d.
composition of matter
g, Prof. ii. NJ. Seeley took part in the d
c. cussloD. He said the farmer was mar
h ufacturer-the farm was In one sense
mandatory where the butter and cheef
c. and other articles were produced. I'll
es mandatory was well furnished with Il
nc raw material, the machinery was in goo
I'd condition and more and more in demant
of 1t 10 desirable to know what is best
70 stock the factory with. Ho proceeded