davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-09-03
Sitting Hens in Hot Weather.

In order to obtain the best results iu hatch
ing chickens at this season of the year, it is
advisable to follow nature as much as possible
in the construction of nests intended for sit.
ting hens. 1t has transpired that the nat
ura place for hen is to select for her nest
in which to deposit her eggs (from which,
after weeks Of patient brooiing, she brings
forth her downy little onesl, is upon the bare
earth, hy that wonderful gift called instinct
she is impelled to choose secluded spot,
often beneath brush heap, hay barrack or
some such place, where the ground is always
shaded, hence moist. Where is the fancier
who cannot recall instances of this kind, Of
hens that were annually in the habit of
stealing their nests under the barn or some
where out Of the reach Of meddlesome urchins
and who rarely, il ever, failed to bring forth
from dozen to fifteen strong, healthy chicks ?
Then grandmother would. say, "Hens allus
do best when they steal their nests and sit
themselves" Somehow we never could agree
with the "old lady" on this point, but we
often had to acknowledge our defeat, when,
after an abaenoe of three weeks, hen would
aome proudly marching up to the door sur.
rounded by her numerous progeny.
After many failures, We at last learned
two things; First, that the hen was a breeder.
BY this we mean that all hens are not suit
able for breeding, and their eggs are ofton
sterile but hen that is inclined TO steal
her nest is in a healthy breeding condition,
and will court the attention Of the cock, and
every egg will, as a rule, be found fertile,
AVID if they could DO found aud set under
another hen, would hatch just as we'll under
favorable circumstances.
The second thing that We learned was
that the hen invariably chose rather moist
damp or shaded place, on the bare ground ;
therefore in making your nests for sitting
hens at this season Of the year, make them
on the bare earth, If possible if not, fill a
box of the proper dimensions two.thirds full
ofdAmp earth, mGke slight depression there.
10, then cut a sod to fit, and set your her
upon that. | do not pretend to say that eggs
cannot be hatohod otherwise, but think
better results may be obtained by the above
plan. Fanciers' Journal,
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-09-03
Flowing in Manure,


Mr. jonathan Yalcott, Of Rome, N. Y,
in lottOr to the Country Gentleman on the
management Of manure says:
In the mouth Of August, aud first half OF
September, when the corn is caring aud fill.
ing out, and consequently requires more
plant food to mature full crop than at any
other time during its growth, the decompos-
ing sod and fernenting manure beneath, or
in it, will at this time furnish much more
nOurishment for the growing crop than at
any other period Of ia existence, and at the
time Of its greatest need, and when it can
be best appropriated to the growth and ma.
turity OF the crop; without such plant food
the crop cannot produce its best yield. Very
many farmers bave no doubt seen crops that
started well, fail in the caring and filling
simply because the plant food had so nearly
given out that there was not supply when
most needed and then it was too late to remedy
the loss for that crop, and could only prove
OF benefit by resolving that hereafter, if pos
sible, it should not occur again from the
sama cause.
confess that so far as my experience goes
in practice of forty years, prefer to have
my barn.yard manure covered with the soil
not as deep as it can be plowed down, but
from four to six inches for corn, depending
on the soil as to depth, aud from three t
five inches for the small grains. Where
used mostly for corn on sod ground, anC
then followed with oats or barley, il thu
ground is plowcd as l have mentioned, the
manure will Of course be finely fermenteC
aud we'll intermixed with tho soil for thu
bcpe6t of the coming clop of small gruiu, le
that be whatever the farmer chooses, o.
thinks best adapted to his soil, and the course
Of rotation he may choose to adopt in hi'
farming operations,
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-09-03
Uniting Colonies.


1t seems to be inherent in the honey bee to
be constantly employed, probably instinct
lively, in the several avocations that give
employment TO all the laborers 10 the hive.
While there is honey to gather. in a pleas
ant, iue day for business, there will be few
idlers except the droues, found about the
hive. A colony that is favorably located,
and is healthy, will generally commence
breeding 80 early in the season as to have
crowded hive by March, April, May or June,
depending upon the latitude, farther north
or south. ln New England, reckoning from
the southern to the northern parts Of the
country embraced in those states, the time
for the issue Of the swarms varies in their
commencement from early in May at its
southern parts, to some time in June at its
northern parts.
Divide the colony, when the hive is filled
with bees, into three equal parts, placing
each part in hive, gIvIDg sufficient room
for full stores for Winter, for each Of the
three colonies, aud very little surplus can be
secured. Give in the surplus boxes the
same room that is embraced iu the two adj
ditioual hives, aud let the colonies unite in
their energies, gathering in one hive, aud
we obtain surplus amounting to from sew.
enty.hve to two hundred pounds or more,
depending upon the field aud the season.
1t is very easily apprehended that three-fold
energies, put forth in one hive instead of
three, give them favorable results in sur
plus. With such arrangements made that
the force from two, or even three old col
onies, may be concentrated into one colony,
with surplus boxes equally convenient for
storing 600 pounds of surplus in one hive,
why may not that amount be taken from
one hive, with the triple force of workers,
just as readily as 200 pounds by one-third
of the force ?
To secure this result il is only necessary
to unite colonies in one hive (which is suited
to this object, with only room in the breed
ing apartment for winteriug the common pro-
duct Of the queen in the fall seasoDl prepar-
atory to winter. The one or two aiding colo.
MES would thus be reduced by the trapsfer
to one main colony, Night not the plan
work iavorably2 | have so much confidence
in it that think the plan worth trial. II
one colony gives 200 pounds, why may not
two colonies with equal facilities give 40O
pounds or why may not three colonies, thus
united, give 600 pounds Each breed
ing department of each hive may &C
into winter quarters with its winter stores
or be fed, If there were any lack, aLd bt
ready with full force to enter upon its har
vest the next season.
Vermont Cor Country Gentleman.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-09-03
Removing the Rough Bark of Trees.

Under the title Of Scasonabe Hints, the
Gardeners Monthly for August has the fol-
lowing.
We have repeatedly called attention in
these pages to the great advantages Of assist
ing the tree to throw off its outer bark.
This is done by scrapiug, washing, or Sitting
up and down with knife in many instances.
We have had to stand great deal Of ridi-
cule from men whose horticultural knowledge
is confined 10 the books Of the college library,
but we have recommended it from actual
observation Of the good resulting,--and more
over the practice is not inconsistent with our
understanding of the processes Of plant life,
To be sure it is not pleasant to have a pro-
fessor in a college, as one did a few years
ago, gravely tell his class that when "the
editor of the Gardeners Monthly recon-
mended the Sitting Of the bark Of fruit trees,
the advice was on par with the belief of
planting in the moon signs, and as likely to
be Of service 10 the tree as the Sitting Of a
mans leg would be 10 cure the rheumatism, -
--and then we have a learned society 10
Massachusetts, teaching that "the rough bark
Of fruit trees, is designed by nature for the
protection oftho stem from cold winds, and the
Gardeners Monthly might as well contend
that taking off the scales from a small pox
patient would prevent the small pox, as that
clearing of bark scales would make tree
healthy" 1t is singular how prone people
are to argue in this smart way. 1t makes
little difference to US however; Of the two
we should prefer to be professor than a
believer in "moons signs, but if the pen
atty for believing in the efficacy of bark
washing, scrapiug and Sitting be to be re-
manded among the "ignorant Pennsylvania
Dutch" as we have been told, we gladly
accept the company we are placed
in. We know Of nothing more seasonable
just now than this attention to the
bark, and which may be continued as oppor-
tunity offers, till spring time.
We know the risk we run of turning the
bile of our intelligent friends,-but we are
quite sure that those who follow our advice
will thank us for it /; and this will be a suf.
tieient return for our forced contribution to
the "small pox" and rheumatic" entertain.
ment
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-09-03
Capabilities of an Acre.

j. NJ. Smith, market gardener Of Green
Bay, furnishes some interesting statements
of his experiments IN high culture. He has
found the rule invariable, not single excep-
tion to it, that the more he has spent in cul-
tivatng and manuring the greater have been
the net profits per acre. Last season he
cultivated fourteen acres, and began with a
more thorough and expensive cultivation than
ever before. The result was, that, although
there was "terriic drought" one of the
dryest seasons ever known in that region,
after spending s3,9S6, or 1924 per acre, he
hada better balance than for any previous year.
lie appears to regard constant cultivation,
especially through drought in connection
with copious mauuring, as all.important.
Stable manure is the standard, with such
use of superphosph plaster, ashes and
other manures as experience and good sense
point out. after you have learned how to
spend money to the best advantage" he re-.
marks, "a larger profit may be made by lay
ing out $500 per acre than with less. After
the second year, if your land does rot pay
all its expenses, taxes aud ten per cent on
81 900 per acre there is something wrong
somewhere. | have some acres Of land that
did not pay expenses for years, but for a
number of years past have not failed to pay
ten per cont on at least $4,000 per acre.
expect my whole garden to do more than
that in short time"
He adds that he is now aiming at 1000
bushels of onions per acre, then a crop of
carrots or turnips, or 800 bushels of early
potatoes or, if strawberries, 1880 quarts,
or 400 bushels per acre.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-09-03
Fast Walking Horses.
Colman's Rural World says

Uolmans Rural World says:
The best gait horse has, is the fast walk.
A slow walking horse is an abomination.
Who has patience with such horse 7 If
you ride him or drive him, he exhausts your
patience. If he is used to plOw or harrow,
or 60 on the road, he mopes along at snail's
pace. He docs only about half the work Of
the rapid walker. If time is money, you
make money because you save tine by RaV-
ing horse that Yalks fast
breeders should pay attention to this mat
ter. In selecting stallion to breed from,
by all means select one that can walk fast.
A slow walking stallion will be likely TO get
slow walking colts; while the stallion that
has a long, rapid, spirited stride, will be
likely to beget colts with similar action.
Then, there is a great deal in breeding to
a horse with spirit and ambition. These cold
blooded horses will beget cold-blOoded colts.
The nearer you can approach the thorough
bred, even for obtaining fast walker, the
better. There iq game there and spirit and
endurance, and stamina, aud style. There
are the neat, bony heads, the prominent
eyes, the small ears, the eapacious nOstrils,
the large lungs and chests, the well-developed
muscle, the bones as dense as ivory.
Even for walkers, then, get the nearest to
thoroughbred possible, and the same fol
trOtters, and Of course the same for runners
You have then horses fit for any company,
aud for any purpose-to haul the plow, OF
buggy, or carriage, or TO carry you upon
their backs. Breed large fine mares Ia thor
Oughbred horses, aud you will get colts that
you will not be ashamed to have your friends
see.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-09-03
WHOLE NO. PAT.
BREvITIES.

Southern exchanges tell about a Georgia
woman who Is farming in the most success
full way. She supports herself, her niece,
and crippled brother. She made % bales OF
cotton last year with the help Of two hired
hands, and owes no money. She came into
town the other day with two wagon-oads Of
corn. She raised 500 pounds Of nice bacon,
Of her own curing, to sell, and yet there may
be found able-bodied young men who say
that farming don't pay.
1t is maintained by Sampson, Dujardin-
Beaumetz and other leading French physi-
clans, that the only way of administering
phosphates is to employ those which nature
has already assimilated, bran-bread and
beans Of different kinds. Whenever il has
been wished to augment the dose ofphosphates
by adding soluble or insouble phosphates to
the food Of animals, these phosphates have
only passed through the economy without
offecting any lodgment there.
Med. and Surg. Reporter.
An editor, having asked an Illinois farmer
for crop news, received this answer: "Aud
now the reaper reapeth, the mower moweth,
and the little bumble-bee getteth up the
busy granger's trousers leg and bumbleth."
believe it as surely as l believe l am
here, that if select the milk Of COW to
to feed to my child, that COW eats for my
child, drinks for my child, breathes for my
child. If that COW is kept quiet, comforta-
Bile and composed, that child enjoys that
composure. If that COW is irritated and ex-
cited, that child shares the excitement with
her. Harris Lewis.
The country dweller who cannot, during
these glorious summer days, lift up his voice
and say, 81 thank God every summer day
Of my life that my lot was cast among the
green fields and flowing BROOKS"
"Is fit for treason's stratagems and spoils."
The National Live Stock Journal says there
are now eighteen Duke bulls in the United
States, nearly half of which have arrived at
such an age as to unfit them for much longer
service. They are divided among the states
as follows: Kentucky six, illinois five, New
York two, and Tennessee, Ohio, Michigan,
Massachusetts aud Vermont, each one.
Mr. Moses Stocking, of Saunders county,
Nebraska, says: "Steers between two and
three years of age, grazing on the Wahoo
valley, have been known to gain at the rate
of three pounds per day during considera-
BILE period"
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-09-03
For the VERMONT FARMER.
Enosburgh Farmers Union.

The Enosburgh Farmers Union held a
meeting at West Enosburgh, August lS, and
the following subjects were presented and
discussed
First, "DOes it pay to hire help to make
fertliEersP''
Mr. Newton said he thought it paid to do
SO, if we do it 10 the right time aud way.
He uses sand to bed his cows; thinks it
more than pays him. Draws muck and piles
it up in the yard, mixing lime with il. This
is very good. Also gathers leaves to make
this profitable. They should be gathered
late in the fall, when they are little wet
and frozen; you can get them then much
quicker than at any other time.
S. II. Dow has used sawdust TO bed his
cows, and thinks it pays to do so, as it
absorbs all the liquid, which is very valua-
Bile on land. Never had much experience
with muck drew in some one year and
piled it in the yard, and let it lay one sea-
son, then put it on the land aud received
good results.
G. S. Fassett thought that some muck
might be good as a fertilizer, but swamp
muck is good only for an absorbent. Saw
dust from hard wood is good, but from soft
wood is good only as an absorbent. Any.
thing Is good for a fertilizer that contains
potash Glover is good, because it draws its
nourishment from the air.
Others remarks were made, by Mr. Croft,
Mr. Stone and Mr. Wright.
Then james Wright presented his paper.
Subject, "The price of farm labor as com.
pared with the prices of other things"
Mr. Wright presented few statements in
connection with his paper, tending to show
that we cannot afford to pay the present
prices for labor but il those out of employ
ment would work for reasonable price, they
could get plenty of work.
Mr. Newton thought it would be better for
large land owners to divide up their land to
such ones, thereby helping them to work,
and a home.
Short remarks were made by Messrs Fas.
sett, Dow, Croft, Baker and Wright
1t being nearly time for the annual festi-
val, this was talked up, and some action
taken. Messrs G. S. Fassett, s. II. Dow
and |. Hubbard were appointed as a com.
mIttee to leok up place, make out list of
committees, premiums, &c, aud report at an
adjourned meeting. 1T was also voted to
have an outdoor exhibition Of farm stock,
&c, IN connection with farm produce. 1t is
also expected to have an address. This
exhibition will occur sometime in October.
Due notice will be given of time and place
There viii be no meeting Of the Union in
September. Perhaps | should say that the
Union does not intend to run opposition to
the county fair, though they will try to make
it pleasant apd profitable affair.
II. S. LEACH, Secretary.
Enosburgh, Aug 23, 1874.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-09-03

From Prof Goessman's lecture, reported in
Scientific Farmer.
A new era may be dated from the time
of the introduction Of commercial manures.
The farmer finds himself less restricted than
formerly, be is more at liberty to choose his
crops, with reference to his markets, thus
tending to make his business more remunera-
tive. Their importance can not be Overesti-
mated as long as farmers allow so large n
proportion of home fertilizers to waste, and
as long as the sewage question Of the cities
remains unsolved.
Although we recommend the use Of COM
mercial fertilizers, yet it is only to make up
for past losses and present wants. Our sys-
TEN Of rotation and management, in general
farming, ought to be SO arranged as 10 produce
upon the farm the manures required by the
crops taken of, for peeupiary reasons. In
farming for special Industrial purposes alone,
will these fertilizers attain more and more
prominence on account Of their specific inAu-
ence upon the development of those constitu-
eats in the plant which give to certain crops
a peculiar commercial value as C. g., liberal
supplies Of potash increase the amount of
starch in the potato, and sugar in the beet,
and produce a superior fiber in fax.
Barn-yard manure is quite deservedLy the
main fertilizer in ordinary farm operations
yet its special value results more in its ben
efcial influence upon the physical than upon
the chemical condition Of the soil.
Analysis of ordinary barn.yard manure
1000 pounds;
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-09-03
Currants.

There are number of improved varieties
OF currants, not very generally known, but
much superior to the common sort. Among
these the largest are the Versailles or Cherry
currant, and the Red Dutch. In good soil,
kept clear of grass aud weeds, either of these
vorieties will give berries three-eighths Of an
inch in diameter. OF white currants, the
White Grape and White Dutch are largest
and best. But in productiveness these are
all surpassed by variety called the Red
Provence, or Red Gondoin, a French sort
with very rank growth, producing bushes
of great size and astonishing productiveness.
Sixteen bushes of this variety bore, this
season, four and one-half bushels, or more
than peck to bush, while the average
product of all our bushes was less than two
quarts. In quality and size this variety
does not equal the other kinds named, yet
they are not so inferior as to attract notice |;
indeed, they are called remarkably nice, and
they certainly exceed the others 10 the length
ofthe branches, many Of which have upwards
of twenty berries upon each It has also
the advantage of being late, ripeDing about
ten days after the others. This popularity
is shared by variety named Mays Victoria,
but the latter is very poor bearer and
grower on our land
DR. Hoskins in Vermont Watchman. .
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-09-03
Subsoiling VS. Common Flowing.

In November, 1868, | spread fair coat.
ing of manure on grass land which had ceased
to yield paying crop. The next May, |
subsoiled seven-eights Of an acre as follows,
viz; | went once around with common
plow about six inches deep then with Mapes
subsoil pillow in the Same iurrow, about six
inches deeper (this ist pillow does not turn
furrow, as the coulter is in the centre Of the
share; it simply raises the earth, aud runs
under it. and as the earth falls down behind
the share, it breaks to pieces.) then
turned another furrow with a common plow,
placing the turf aud manure on soft bed,
mellowed six inches below the manure. l
next subsoiled the second furrow, and used
the plows alterna tely till the seven-eights
were plowed For the remainder of the
field, the common plow, only, was used, turn.
ing manure and sod on to hard bed after
this the two parts of the field were treated
alike for crop Of corn. AT wedding time
difference was readily seen which differ
ence increased as the weeks went on. At
husking time the seven.eighths acre yielded
224 bushels of corn, more than the same
number Of rows adjoining the subsoiled por-
ton. The soil was a rather light gravelly
loan. The season for moisture was about
medium Warren Parker, Cornton, VT, in
Scientific Farmer.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-09-03

Losses ON Stock IN WINTERING.-Froma
late report of the Department of Agricul-
ture it appears that the farmers and stock
raisers OF the country every year suffer ruin.
Gus losses from the mismanagement and
poor feeding OF stock during tho winter. The
loss of weight Oh animals, bovines and sheep,
according to statements made by the owners
Of stock themselves, range from five to 40
per eeut. In Maryland it is from five to 10
per cent in southwestern Virginia FROM 10
to 40 per cent The depreciation Of the
animals is most marked in southwestern Vir-
giniA, North Carolina, South Carolina and
the rolling portions Of Georgia, where, in
numerous instances, it is reported to have
reached 90 per cent,
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-09-03

Cur FEED FOR HoRsEs.--An accurate far
mer has furnished the Country Gentleman a
statement of his experiment with feeding cut
feed and meal to his horses, accompanied with
weighing and measuring. He cuts oats and
straw about an inch long with a rawhide
cylinder machine, and this chopped straw is
then treated with corn meal and bran mixed
in about equal quantities as to weight, so
that each horse has about bushel Of cut
feed and three quarts of the meal and bran
twice in each day. Sometimes hay is cut
instead of oat straw, or both are mixed. 1t
is found that 200 lbs per week Of this mix
ture of corn meal and bran, added to the cut
feed, will keep pair of working horses in
the best condition. This, he is satisfied from
experiment, is less than two-thirds the cost
Of keeping them on uncut hay and whole
grain. The corn meal alone is not so good
for horses as when mixed with bran. An
excellent meal is made of ground oats. The
fodder is cut by horsepower, on stormy or
spare days, and stored away in large bins, so
as to furnish always supply on hand.