Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-03-19
Reported for the VERMONT FARMER.
Trout River Farmers Club.

Mr.. Editor Il have read accounts of
this club in your paper and have had de-
sire to know more of it, so l concluded to
visit it at my earliest opportunity. Last
Saturday had the pleasure to do SO, and
1 was so much pleased with the papers that
were read and the interest manifested that
would like to tell it to others through your
paper.
At about H. NJ, the 9th inst, your ser.
want found himself seated in a sleigh drawn
by one of Enosburgh's best steeds, owned by
A. s. Croft, President of the Enosburgh
Farmers Union. Soon we were moving
away at a good speed, and in few moments
reached East Berkshire. Thence we followed
up the beautiful stream called Trout River,
wi ndiug its way between the hills to the
foot of the Green Mountains. OF course we
did not have that beautiful scenery that may
be enjoyed in the summer or autumn, but
still it is very pleasant drive in a mild day
In tho winter, as we pass along by nice
farms, however, aud other farm buildings.
After about fifty minutes we arrived at the
village Of Montgomery, entirely surrounded
by high hills and mountains. The village is
not very large, but a small, neat and tidy
village. The first impression you have is
that the people must be a nice and happy
class happy in themselves and happy in
trying to make others happy. We pass
along to the upper end Of the village, and
there we leave our noble animal under shell
ter, well covered, and enter the old brick
school house, and believe if it could speak
the English language, it would say it had
stood the storm and blast long enough, and
from old age it will retire from its public
life, giving room for a new and more suitable
house for such village.
AS we enter the upper room we find two
boys trying to start a FIRE. Alter visiting
one or TIVE woodsheds they succeeded in warm
ing the room. In less than half an hour the
room was filled with a robust, strong, and intel
| ligent audience. OF the feminine sex l must
say a word, and that is if those present are
a fair representation of the rest in Mougom-
cry, must say that up among the Green
Mountains is not only the place to rear up
brave and noble Green Mountain boys, but
also the place to rear up bright, intelligent
and well developed Green Mountain girls.
At lao the president called the meeting
to order.
Heman Hopkins, Jr., then read his paper
How to Raise Calves" Mr.. Hopkins
said, the subject assigned to mo by your di-
rector is one of the most important to the
farmer, as well as every man in this commu-
nifty, as it effects the present and future
prosperity of our whole country. l suppose
it will be expected that shall say what L
think is proper course to pursue, and also
give some Of the abuses to which this noble
animal is subjected by its cruel or lazy own
ers. One Of the first requisites for good
calf is well developed sire and dam, with
strong constitution, so that we may be pretty
sure if we do our part we'll we will get a
fair return. A very good practice is to give
the calf some milk before it is strong enough
to stand up and take 1t from the COW.
Would let the calf suck the COW two or
three weeks before learning it to drink Then
give it enough milk with little wheat bran
or ground oats. Never put six or eight in
pen 6xl0, or something of the sort, but give
it enough room to run and exercise and de-
velop. Keep saw dust or straw under them,
so that they will be clean. have marked
out four points to follow in raising good
calves
/. Good, dry stalls to lie down in, with
plenty of bedding.
2. Good food and enough Of it.
3. Plenty Of room to run in.
4. Kindness in all our dealings with them,
and giving them to understand that we are
intended to be their protectors and friends.
Others favored putting the calves on to
skim milk at three or four days old.
Next was papor by VIM. Cummings on
"Sugar Making" One or two other papers
were read, the rest of the time being taken
up in remarks
At 4:30 We bid adieu to Montgomery,
feeling that We were well paid for our ride,
aud may the time hasten when other towns
will have their farmers clubs, giving lessons
as well as improving the minds of this inde.
pendent class. II. S. l..
EaOsbuIgh, March 8.