davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-08-20
Fodder Corn.

A. l.. Fish, dairyman of Ilerkimer
county, N. Y, says of fodder corn;
II condition of pasture does not require il
to be fed while green, it is only second to
early.cut hay for fall and spring feed, il
matured and cut before it is killed by frost.
One COW was kept in stable two weeks
and fed only fodder corn and water. She
consumed 100 lbs per day of the green corn,
and averaged 30 lbs per day Of excellent
milk. The milk was equivalent to three lbs
of cheese from 100 lbs Of corn, or 1880 lbs
OF cheese from the acre of corn. An eoua
amount OF the same growth that was fed
green, was dried and kept to be fed in the
succeeding spring during the early flow of
milk after parturition Of the same COW. to
ascertain it an equal amount of corn dried
and fed would produce as much milk in the
early flow Of milk as green did in October
preceding. But the test failed by the COW
proving to be farrow. Feeding it to another
COW Of equal milking qualities convinced me
that IT dried at proper stage Of growth it
will make as much milk il fed before turn
ing to grass as when fed green 10 fall.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-08-20
Paris Green.

Experiments at the agricultural depart
ment at Washington, by the chemist, Mr.
McMurtie, to determine the effects Of Paris
green (arsente Of copper, upon plants and
the soil, are detailed in the June report Of
the department.
The investigations were made to deter.
mine:
Ist If applied to the soil, can arsenic or
arsenious acid be absorbed and assimilated
in the economy Of plant growth?
End. Ifabsorbed and assimilated, can it
be taken up in sufficient quantity to become
prejudicial or injurious to the health of con-
sumers2
Sd. If not taken up by the plant during
growth, does it, by its presence in tho soil,
exert poisonous influence upon the plant
itself2
4th. If it exerts poisonous influence
upon the plant, to what extent may IL exist
in the soil before it becomes injurious?
Three series of pots, Of fifteen each, we're
prepared and planted with carefully selected
peas. In the first series quantities of Paris
green, ranging from 100 miligrams to Eve
grams, were thoroughly intermixed with the
soil OF each pot. The second series was
treated with arsenite of potash, and the
third with arseniate of potash In each set
one pot was left without any of the arsenic
compound. Subsequent chemical analysis
OF the pea plants showed that no arsenic
whatever had been taken up by the growing
plant. Thus the first two questions were
disposed of. The appearance OF the plants
proved that the presence ofthe arsenic COM
pounds in the soil was injurious to the growth
OF the plants. With the Paris green (ar-
senlte of copper) the plants thrived until the
quantity that was present in the soil reached
800 milligrams for 91.5 cubic inches of
earth, or about 900 pounds per acre, calcu-
lating for depth Of one foot. In practice,
however, 1t is never necessary to apply so
large an amount In the case of the arsen-
ite Of potash the effect was more marked,
aud with the arseniate of potash still greater.
Yet the experimenter calculates that $40
pounds per acre Of the former, and $50
pounds of the latter might be applied with
out injurious results. (The investigator
does not dwell upon the serious consequences
connected with the extensive
use of so powerful poison by uneducated
hands, which render it most desirable that
some less harmless substitute might be
found.) TScientifc Farmer.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-08-20
The Charm of New or Foreign Breed.

The editor Of the New England Farmer
gives expression 70 sentiments which il would
be we'll for farmers TO have often repeated
and always needed, when be says:
The tendency Of American stock breeders
and dealers seems to be to obtain something
that is new, or that is supposed to be new,
something different from that which is al.
ready generally known by the farmers at
large. II does not satisfy their ambition to
take breed Of animals aud by careful breed.
ing keep them up to high standard, or even
to improve them by judicous crosses and by
intelligent systems Of breeding. There is
too much work about this; they want to
reach the desired end by some short cut.
Of course we mean those breeders and deal.
ers who class themselves as "faney" farmers,
and who expect to make their fortune by
selling stock at fancy prices 1t is little
amusing to watch the progress Of events in
this business Of breeding and selling fancy
animals. AT one time chicken with q pc
culiar arrangement of the comb, will shake
the country from the Atlantic to the Pacific,
aud after few years no chicken Of this Pc
culiar breed will be allowed in show coon
unless it comes up to the standard, as regards
this little matter of comb. The knowing
ones, seeing no chance to make money much
longer in this direction, start a new feather
OF a certain shape or color on some one of
the trio, and Immediately great sensation
follows, and lots of money is made by those
who, having been warned in season, are pre-
pared for the rush. One of the latest sensa.
tions in the poultry line is pea-comb on a
trio of partridge CochiDs, aud doubtless
there are already hundreds of anxious breed
ers ready to pay big price for the few eggs
the owner can be prevailed upon to spare of
this very desirable acquisition, next spring.
1t the new breed can boast Of foreign origin,
all the better. The word imported" has a
peculiar charm for the ear of the average
American, whether it refers to a breed of
cattle, sheep or poultry, or to the cloth of a
,oat or the shape of hat
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-08-20
Gapes in Chickens.

The editor of the Lancaster Farmer says
In recent conversation with an experienced
chicken raiser, he informed us that he had
boen very successful in cOuqueriDg that pre-
carious disease in his young fowls by the
application of air-slacked lime. As soon as
manifestation of gapes in his fowls appears,
he confines his chickens in box, one at
time, sufficiently large to contain the bird,
and places coarse piece of cotton OF linen
cloth over the top. Upon this he places the
pulverizsd lime, and taps the screen sufii-
GENTLY to cause the lime to fall through.
This lime dust the fowl inhales aud is made
10 sneeze, and in short time the cause of
the gapes is thrown out in tho form of
slimy mass or masses of worms, which had
accumulated in the windpipe and smaller air
vessels. This remedy he considers superior
to any he has ever tried, and he seldom fails
to effect perfect cure. He has abiured all
those mechanical means by which It is at.
tempted to dislodge the entozOa with instru.
ments made OF whalebone, hogs bristles, or
tine wire, alleging that people are quite as
certain to push the cape worms further down
the throat OF the fowls as to draw them up.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-08-20

every ones experience. In our dry soil, pu,
in mature, and with rainy season. thors i
good yield Of grass. But without frequent
rams upon light soil, or some means Of retain.
Jog moisture in the soil, our crop fails. To
have grass 10 perfection, demands that the
farmer have suitable soil, that the soil
should be fertile, and that il shall be kent
spfhciently moist Without the last all efforts
are unavailing The thing Of greatest diff.
Guilty Is. TO secure water to the growing crop.
What has the close feeding Of our moving
lelds IN autumn to do with this? Some say
70 feed grass close, to have II meet winter in
naked condition, is TO have it winter killed
l fear more that II will be summer killed
Inc held that meets the spring sun in this
naked state, is the soonest green. The sun
does this, the rain being abundant in the
early spring. The early part Of June, or
towards the middle Of the month. there is
often the beginning of dreught no show.
ers-the roots Of the grass being near the
surface are soon dried-the blade slackens
IN growth aud ripens short Of full develop
ment.
suppose, instead Of this, the fall finds a
growth Of, say four inches Of grass--the
crisp cold deadens in 1.-THE wi1ter snow
falls upon it, and wheu gone leaves the dried
grass hattened to the earth. The spring sun
10 upon this cover-half an inch of loose
mulching; the blade is slow to start, nor
does the thirsty sun, and more thirsty winds
suck up the moisture in the soil rapidly.
Why? There is this half.inch of non.con.
ductor Of heat, of cold, of moisture between
y aud the soil. The land receives the rain
from heaven, and drinks il in-and between
summer showers there is not a rapid render.
ing up OF the water so much required. There
Is nothing more conducive of a retention of
water in the soil than good mulch. Nature,
when let alone, kindly provides this for grass
between the time of haying and autunnal
irosts. Does anything require mulch more
than grass.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-08-20
Apple Pomace.


EDITOR VERMONT FARMER IL know that
you know everything, SO want you should
tell me how to make big heap of apple
ponace, that has been accumulating for half
dozen years, into fertilizer. Perhaps
there are others that wish to know, but
do, sure. s. i. FARMAN.
Claremont, N. H., Aug 9, 1875.
Our correspondents assumption that ag-
ricultural editors "know everything" is best
refuted by the admission that we do not
know the best way to make manure of apple
pomace, or any way to render it of much
value as fertilizer, If we had lot of it
we would compost it with muck which has
been piled up, 80 as to freeze over winter,
using lime, at the rate Of barrel or more to
a cart load Of pomace, and allow it to de-,
compose before using. 1t would seem as if
there was too much acid in the stuff to apply
to the soil in its raw state. Perhaps read.
ers of the FARMER can give information on
the subject,
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-08-20
Potash in Wheat.

Why is it, when growing wheat or rye is
being struck with rust, that little plot
here and there where stumps, logs or brush
have been burned to ashes, will be bright and
free from the attack of rust2 Because the
growing plants employ potash and silica not
only to give stiffness and rigidity to the straw,
but to form, as it were, CLASSY coat of mail
over the surface of every leaf, CLONE and
straw, to fortify the tender and delicate parts
against the attacks of spores that are floating
IN the atmosphere. We all know how read
lily substances in the atmosphere are turned
away when they come in contact with a
CLASSY surface. Potash and sand are the es-
sential elements Of glass. The roots of grow
log plants have the power to employ the
sharPest sand and potash to form a thin,
elastic, CLASSY covering which is spread over
the surface to exclude moisture and to repel
any attacks Of fungus.
Practical Farmer,
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-08-20
Throwing Stones at Animals.

1t is common thing for people driving
loose cattle or even horses and colts, to make
use Of stones as a means of persuading them
to move along faster, or in any direction
against their wills. In driving sheep, stones
are great help, and comparatively safe to
use, because if thrown so as to strike on the
ground near the flock they are sure to hurry
in the other direction But horses and cat.
tie possessing less timidity than sheep, have
a noble disdain of any such harmless atten-
tions, and it is necessary to take good aim
at them aud to put modicum Of force into
the projectlle to turn them from the error
of their ways. This may seem necessary at
times, when they are refractory, but to throw
stones in this way is to risk injury to the
animals. This is especially true in regard to
horses and colts. A slight blow with a stone
will put out an eye or cause a blemish that
spoils the selling value even if 1t does not
cause lameness.
If a missile must be used it had better be
stick and that should be thrown with sense
Of the danger Of injury that may cause a
pecuniarY loss.
We had lesson when a boy that will
last as long as memory. Driving the COWS
up at night, yearling bull did not move
along fast enough, aud stone scarcely more
than an inch in thickness and little more
than that in width was pitched lightly at
him to urge him to hurry up. The aim was
quite too true. As it struck we saw some-
thing that looked like piece of glass drop
from his eye. He shook his head and "hur-
ried up" to our entire satisfaction. The
crystalline lens which we picked up from
the grass, was the first, and decidedly un.
pleasant illustration of the formation Of the
eye, aud of light, then recently captivating
study in the school philosophy. The per.
iOrmance OF the duty Of giving father a
truthful account of the "interview" was
not the most interesting part of the affair
He did not say as much as was expected and
did not do anything, but the presence of a
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-08-20
Opening Hay-Cooks Early.

Mr. EDITOR Since you requested some of
us farmers to experiment on opening hay |,
like my friend King, have been trying the
different times for opening and noting tho
result, and | find hay put up one day, which
is partly dry, to open and dry next day and
then opened at from six to seven O'Clock in
the morning and then stirred up a little
about nine, is as we'll ready for the cart at
half-past ten or eleven a. N. as that opened
from ten to eleven, as praetiCed by most
farmers is at two or three p. m, and think
the hay full better not to have so much of
the hot afternoon sun upon it as it will 10
the last named time Of opening, as l think
so much hot sun on hay that has been in the
cock makes the hay more brittle and Of a
weedy nature and, therefore, not near as pal
atable.
Mr. King speaks Of the size of hay cocks.
My opinion is, it hay is to be put up green
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-08-20

ing in 100 lbs larger amount of digestiblc
nutritive substances than another, aud the
same of bects. Yet we have no hesitation
in saying that taking equal weights of tho
two, the potatoes are worth the most.
According to the tables of analysis of foods,
compiled by Wolf and reproduced by Prof
Atwatcr 10 his account Of the results Of late
European experiments on tho feeding of cat
tie, read at the last annual meeting Of the
Connecticut board Of agriculture (sso report
Connecticut board of agriculture, 1874,
there are in 100 pounds Of potatoes, sugar.
beets aud turnips respectively, the following
quantities, stated in pounds, of digestible
Orrantc anhatanoas.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-08-20
The Barn-Yard.

The barn-yard may be taken as the index
OF the character Of the farmer. As is the
barn.yard, SO is the farm and the farmer. 1t
is well that all of us should remember that
IN this case it is no figure of speech to sa
that "straws show which way the wind
blows" The arrangement of the barn yard
Is not for show altogether. The profits OF
the farm depend to great extent upon it,
Ii is in the yard and the barns that the pro-
duce of the farm that is not sold outright is
converted into beef, pork, mutton, wool or
milk and butter-articles that may be more
profitably sold. 1t is in the yard, also, that
the manure is made and kept. The barn
aud barn-yard are the mauutactory of the
farm, and if they are not arranged with a
view to economy, a large waste results that
reduces the farmers profit. The majority
oil farmers in this country, from necessity
begin business with small means, and do the
best they can with the materials they DOS.
sess. The excellence of farm buildings does
not consist so much in the materials Of which
they are built, as IN the use made Of those
materials. Useful buildings may be made
OF logs or prairie sods, or poles and coarse
hay and these. by skillful arrangement,
may be made to serve as useful purpose as
dressed lumber and paint or pressed brick
The main points are warmth, dryness and
ventilation; for food is wasted when an ami.
NAL shivers in its stable, or when its health
is injured by damp, filth, or bad air. A
farmer who is thoughtful about such small
things as this (although this is more impor-
tant than it appears) may be taken to be
careful, thrifty man who, by and by, will be
able to build barn with all the improve
ments' aud to build it properly, too. The
old proverb, stake care of small things, and
the large ones will take care of themselves"
is applicable to matters about farms, and
barn-yards especially. When the small
things are well watched, large ones are not
forgotten. American Agriculturist.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-08-20

We have from the editor, w. T. Bailey,
Esq, Buffalo, N. Y, the first number (for
july of Bailey's Short-Horn Reporter. 1t
is, as its title indicates, journal devoted to
the interests of Short-Horn breeders; a
chronicle of Short Horn transactions, and
catalogue of Short-HOrns for sale publicly or
privately
This is pamphlet of SO pages gotten up
in neat, attractive style, containing a rich
fund Of information in Short. Horn matters
in form where it will be accessible when
wanted. We regard it as valuable addi-
tion to Short Horn literature
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-08-20
Best Time to Kill Canada Thistles.

Mr. j. Olin Ingalls,, of Wheelock, w., iu-
quires when is the best time to cut Canada
thistles in pastures to kill them.
We have had the best success by moving
them off close when in full bloom. At tn at
time the plant is in full vigOr of growth,
and cutting the stem below the lowest leaf
is an instant check to the circulation of sap
which operates as a shock (f such thing
as the Canada thistle is susceptible of a
shock. 1t is said that if rains fall soon
after, the stem is filed with water, which
tends to rot it.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-08-20

Henry Clark, Esq, Rutland, sends u:
premium list of the 25th fair of the Vermont
State Agricultural Society and Wool Grow
ers Association, to be held at Rutland, Sep
tember IA to IT, The entry fee is only one
dollar which entities the exhibitor to ticket
Of admission during the fair.
Entries may be made up to IL o'clock
Tuesday, September 18th [accOrdiug to our
almanac Tuesday is the l4th.]
Liberal premiums are offered, and the
railroads of the state will doubtless show
their usual liberality 10 the free transporta-
tion of stock and excursion tickets at hall
rates
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-08-20

Many farmers are improving the time to
turn over the sod in the old mowings with
the intention of giving a light dressing Of
manure and seeding to grass. To such we
would say, work over the manure until it is
very fine, and spread as evenly as possible ;
harrow it in well and make the land very
smooth before sowing the seed. Seed lib
orally. Il is easy enough to compute the
number of seeds in peck of timothy and
reckon the number to the square inch, and to
draw therefrom the inference that peck is
too much. For some reason, a large per
cent Of grass seeds fail to germnate. Lib.
eral ceding gives the best results. Some
farmers SOW half a bushel Of timothy.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-08-20
organic Substances

1t will be observed that of digestible al.
buminoids, or flesh and muscle forming sub.
stances, potatoes contain little more than
twice the quantity found IN sugar-beets
While of digestibIe carbohydrates, or fat
and heat forming substances, the potato
contains 20 per cent the most.
1t is claimed that Lanes improved sugar.
beets are much richer than others in digest
ible uutritive substances. Perhaps Hon
Henry Lane can inform the readers Of the
FARMER how they compare in analysis and
in practical use as food for animals with
potatoes. II any exact experiments have
been made to test their value we would be
very glad to give them for the readers of
the FARMER.
When it is considered that the average
product per acre of sugar.beets or turnips
is so much greater than potatoes, il is an
easy matter to decide which crop is most
profitable to raise for stock feeding.
Prof Atwater states as result of these
European experiments, that when non. n.nitro-
genous substances (carbo-hydrates) as starch
or sugar, or easily digestible foods, coutain-
ing much Of these and little nitrogen, are
added to crude foods as hay, straw and clov.
er, the digestion Of the latter may be de-
creased. Aud what seems paradoxical, it is
not the carbohydrates but the albuminoids
OF the hay whose digestion is prevented by
the carbohydrates. An illustration of this
is found in series of experiments by DR.
Wolff at Hohenheim, in which sheep were
fed with clover hay alone, and 63.7 per
cent of the albuminoids and 81 2 per cent of
the crude fibre were digestod. la succeed.
ing periods mixed ratous of clover hay and
potatoes were given, the proportion of the
potatoes being increased in successive periods
The proportion ofalbuminoids digested fr ON
the hay in these periods was gradually re.
duced from 63.7 to 45.7 per cent, and
that Of the crude fibre from 81 = to "A. 8 per
cent.
"From experiments upon the use Of pota-
toes and turnips with hay aud clover, Wolff
concludes that when hay and potatoes are so
mixed that the dry substance (orgauic sub.
stance, ash) of the potatoes is not over one.
eighth of the whole dry substance Of the mix
ture, the hay is digested as when fed alone.
The decrease of digestion from the use of
turnips iu like proportions would be only
One-half or three-fourths that produced by
potatoes"
In other words the dry substance in 100
lbs of hay or clover being about S5 lbs, po-
tatoes or turniPs enough to give II lbs of
dry substance may be fed with that quanti-
ty OF hay or clover; that would be very
nearly 4S lbs of potatoes or $50 lbs of tur.
niPs to 100 lbs Of hay or clover.
This seems paradoxical, to be sure. 1t
would be supposed that adding foods in
which the carbohydrates or fat-forming
substances preponderate to others of like na-
ture in that respect, would produce such a
superabundance Of fat formers, if they may
be so termed, that they and not the muscle
formers, would fail to be digested
There is no present occasion for formers
to fear they are feeding roots enough to do
any harm
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-08-20
Relative Value of Potatoes ana Beets for
Pigs.

EDITOR VERMONT FARMER Can you in
form me through the columns of the FARMER
if 100 pounds of beets are Of as much value
to feed to pigs as the same of potatoes ?
JoHN @, THOMPSON.
Washington, Vt.
There is a wide difference in the value
Of different varieties of potatoes and of beets
as articles of food one kind of potatoes hav.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-08-20

We have from Col Daniel Needham, sec.
retary, Boston, the premium list Of the 18th
fair of the New England Agricultural Soci-
ETY., to be held at Manchester, N. H., Tues.
day to Friday, September 7-10, next. The
premiums offered are liberal, and the ar
rangements appear to be very perfect. Man.
chester is fine location for the show. The
New Hampshire State Society join in the
exhibition. Mr. Beecher gives the annual
address, Entries of live stock must be made
on or before September lst. No entry fees
required, except for trotting horses.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-08-20

The weather since the advent of August
has been, most Of the time, wet. Those who
have not finished haying are making little
progress, and the elements are most unfavor-
able for the grain harvest The pastures are
fresh and green as in june and rowen grows
finely. There will be at present little need
Of the use of fodder corn, and portion of
that sOwed for fall use can be saved for win
tar
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-08-20

one-eyed animal on the farm and in the team
for couple Of years was a sufficient punish
ment, and taught lesson that no amount of
talk would have accomplished