davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-01-08
A New Kind of Stock Raising

A correspondent of the Massachusetts
PloughmaR, S. q. u. Works, Ossipe, n. H.,
thus discourses on raising minks 1t is a
new industry and shows how even enemies to
the farm and poultry yard may be utilized :
There appears to be some things not well
understood by the reading public, one of
which may be named as the science Of mink
culture, on the subject OF which am receiv-
ing many letters of inquiry. To answer all
by mail would take too much Of my time as
well as quite a revenue in postage stamps.
have thought that perhaps au article or
two might be Of interest to many Of your
readers.
1t has been found by long and persistent
effort that the mink cannot be made TO breed
in confinement when caught in wild state
but will breed after being fully domestcated.
BY procuring the young before their eyes
were open and rearing by hand, or perhaps
on cat, when one can be found that will
mother them, success is easier.
After some pretty expensive experiments
have succeeded in breeding them, afford
ing fair profit for tne outlay. The profits
this year average about Sl45 to the pair. no
mink being killed for their iur, as ready
sale is made Of all that can raise at $40
per pair, sold alive. But for their fur alone
no branch OF industry in this country will
pay better. Minks are very prolific, seldom
losing any Of their young, and they rear
from six to nine at litter, and in one case
fourteen.
They will eat any kind of lean meat,
birds, fish, frogs, woodchucks, in fact any
thing of game kind, and appear especially
fond of beef liver aud poultry.
shall probably winter ten pairs OF old
mink this year, and another year propose to
enlarge my works. There appears to be a
prevailing idea that they cannot be kept in
large numbers together This is mistake,
for it properly cared for during the breed
ing season-at which time it is not safe to
have more than two females to one male in
the same pen, they do well"
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-01-08
Good Farming.

A Yankee Farmer" Manchester, Ontario
County, n. Y, sends the Country Gentleman
the results of his years farming. 1t will be
seen that although the receipt for potatoes is
the largest item, there was quite variety Of
crops Few kinds Of business can show as
much profit for the past year. He says:
One would think, to read the communca-
tion of sc. c. in your issue of Deccm ber
Sd, that Americans are very poor farmers,
to say the least. But believe, if we could
get as good prices, and hire help as cheap as
they do in England, there would be just as
good farmers here as there, aud we could
ride cob aud keep u hunter, too. | have
yet to learn that English farmers in this
country make money faster than Yankees.
Having closed up my farming for the pres
ent season,I thought would send you the
figures, as they may be interesting to some
who think farming don't pay" The farm
contains $50 acres, and it is but fair to say
it came into my possession but three years
ago, in rundown condition, having been
owned by an old and indrm man who could
not attend to it, and there was not one acre
of new seeding on the farm. raised the
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-01-08
Wheat for a Name.


Henry Tilley, Castle Hill, Aroostook,
Me-, sent us few days ago few wheat
heads, asking for name. The grain was
raised from kernel found in package of
oats that came from New York some FIVE
years ago. This kernel yielded the first
year 245 sound kernels, aud now Mr.. Tilley
has 125 bushels. He sent some to the In
stitute Club, New York, but they could not
name it, 1t was unlike any wheat we had
ever known, and we sent it to a gentleman
in Stanstead, z. O., with Mr.. Us inquiry,
lie writes
The uuthrashed specimen Of wheat you
sent me to name, grown by Henry TiIloy, OF
Castle Hill Aroostook, Co., Maine, came
safe by mail, and / fail to find in it re-
semblancc to any other variety within my
knowledge.
The head being short and the kernel
rather small and very yellow would show it
to belong to a sandy soil and perhaps a
southern climate. The original kernel found
in package of oats sent from Jones and
Clark, New York, about five years ago
would lead to the conclusion that it might
come from the sandy regions of Long Island
or New Jersey, which send their produce to
that market
The fact of its originating from one kerr
mel does not prove or disprove anything, but
does show perseveriug spirit on the part oI
the grower. To grow wheat from small
kernels is like raising stock from small AMI
mails admissible in certain localities.
1t is an axiom among seed growers that
seeds should be brought from the north, aud
not from the south. The poorest wheat |
ever raised was from seed from the Kappa.
hammock, Lat 3S The best from the Slgue
nay, Lat. 4S. y neighbor attempted to
raise wheat from the Western prairies. He
might as well have attempted to raise sue
ccssful crop of Western corn from Western
seed.
In conclusion, we presume this whea
sent us would do well on weak or sandy
soils, and for latitude further south than
New England. GEORGE BAcHELD Err.
StanStead, Z. @, Dec. 30.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-01-08

attractive bill Of fare for the animals kept
on the farm.
Some of these crops from their special
suitableness for the use Of sheep offer the
further advantage that they 60 far to meet
the grand practical difficulty in the way of
good real farming, which arises out of the
scarity Of manure, and the expense connect
ed with working aud hauling it. On light
soils, especially, where sheep according to
the old provorb have golden feet, the bouc-
fit accruing from this plan of manuring
cannot be over-estimated. Grow vetches,
rape, or kohl rab upon bit Of ground you
want to enrich, fold sheep on it, and when
the crop is eaten off, the land will be left
fit for any crop you may desire to put in.
No forkiDg over OF manure, no time aud la
Dor spent in hauling it out of the fcld,-
there 1t is just as you want it, evenly distrib-
uted, free from liability to waste, every
rainfall washing its virtue into the SOIL 1t
may be argued that there is cost and trouble
connected with the folding of sheep; but, be-
yond the preparation of hurdles in the first
instance, the cost aud trouble are very tri-
! ding. Hurdle making is nice winter job.
Any man who cannot make sheep-hurde,
is too stupid and useless to cumber the
ground of a farm. II you make them at
odd times n the winter, the only expense
will be that Of the lumber, aud that will not
exceed twenty cents apiece.
Now is the time TO reflect on the over
sights aud errors Of the past, and to form
plans of better farming next year, and in
all coming time. Let these forage crops be
neglected no longer. Set apart the cleanest
aud best piece of land on the farm for tur-
uips. Economize aud exc out the manure
all winter so as to have as much as possible
to put on the turuip land next summer. If
there is a bit Of rich ground that is dirty
with weeds, resolve to devote that to green
forage, to be fed off by the sheep. Say not
III have only halEa.dozen or a dozen sheep"
but consider how you can get more; for one
might as well try to farm well without prop
er tools, as try to farm without flock OF
sheep.-Canaia Farmer.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-01-08
Vermont Potatoes in England.

A London journal says Extra Early Yer
mont is far too much like the Early Rose to
be pleasant 1t may be little earlier, per.
haps few days it may be little better
cropper, but that is doubtful it may be Of
a little better table quality, but l boiled
some Of each the other day and found no
difference and as the tubers are exactly
alike, and the haulm is the same, except
perhaps, that of Extra Early Vermont is q
little dwarfer, it will be matter Of compar.
ative ease for any person to substitute the
one for the other, and the purchaser be none
the wiser. After all, these early pink
skinned potatoes are of but little use until
they are ripe enough to be peeled, aud by
that time the Late Rose is ready for use, and
that is the heavist cropper and the best oil
the whole batch. Ii Is the finest of all the
Americans yet introduced, excepting, per.
haps, Snowflake.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-01-08
A Mistake (Perhaps.)

There has been growing notion in the
minds of many Of us Eastern farmers, that it
does not pay to raise corn. We have come
to this conclusion generally, Judge, without
going to the bottom Of the subject, and
noting the results that must follow the empty
corn crib. 1t is very comfortable and con-
venent way Of getting a supply Of meal to
have a bag or two thrown into ones sleigh
or buggy when at his post office. The hoe
is not needed to raise corn in that way, The
crow can't pull up that corn, the wire worm
cant eat it off at the root, the cut worm
can't NOW it down, nor the blue,jay lug it
off aud store it up for his winter feasting.
When home one can lift it, and pour 1t into
the chest and feel quite comfortable that the
supply has been so easily obtaiAed. But
there is a sequel being experienced to this
method of "raising corn" 1t is not quite
the "solid pan" way Of doing. There are
latter claps." One is, the "gude wife" or
the anxious cook is dissatisfied with her
brown bread. There is kind of old, dry,
chippy taste to it, unless something is put in
to cover it up. The Johnny.cake as 1t
comes "piping not" from the oven emits a
kind of musty.bag odor. All the gilt-edged
butter in the world won't give 1t the right
flavor. That dead, almost musty taste can
not even be covered up with the cream Of
the best COW in the barn. 1t is there, aud
one longs for the good old days of native
bread aud butter to come again, The vision
of the smoking sweet Indian cake Of the OIL
den time comes to him. The sputtering,
sweet-odored, aud delicious hasty pudding,
comes up in memory, as he tries to flavor
the dish before him to suit his taste. All Of
this comes of not raising the corn at home.
Aside from all these considerations, the
question comes up does it pay to raise corn
Can farmer do better to buy his meal, than
to raise it? Does it pay to raise corn on
] corn land in New England? Corn should
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-01-08
Expected Assistance from the National
Grange.

There is an expectation among the Pat
rons throughout Kansas aud Nebraska, that
the National Grange will make liberal do
nation towards relieving the suffering Pat
rons on the frontiers Of both states. The im-
portance of this action is so apparent that it
has seen anticipated and looked for for some
weeks past. 1t should be prompt, immedi-
ate and liberal. The organization can in no
way more certainly challenge the admiration
and respect of the country than by improving
the present opportunity and sending to each
Of the state oranges of Kansas and Nebraska
fifteen or twenty thousand dollars to be
expended as the officers of the state oranges
of these states believe would be for the best
interests of Patrons needing help.
There are ample funds now in the Nation
al Grange treasury invested in bonds, which
would be well serving the live and fuudamen.
tai principles upon which the organization
rests, in relieving the suffering aud needy Of
the order.
The West has created three.fourths OF the
funds now in the treasury, and an expendi'
ture Of this kind on the part Of the officers
OF the National Grange will meet hearty
aud cordial support among the Patrons Of
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-01-08
Helping to Hatch.

"Can you render the chick advantageous
assistance during its hatching?" Yes, most
assuredIy. The eggs of some varieties, par
tiouarly the Asiatic, are sometimes exceed.
ingly thick shelled, the shell "pips and
here the little bird breaths his last if help is
not given; the fine membrane becomes glued
to him and contracts, and it, with his downy
covering, becomes, as it were, coat of mai,
to crush out its life. Notice, and if the
Matching is slow, have an eye to your nest
until the business is through with for some-
times it appears as if epidemic. Many chicks
go by the board in this way; help should be
rendered; so take small sized bodkin, and
carefully thrusting its point short distance
under the membrane and shell, gently tear
the first, and crack the latter as you proceed
around the circumference of the egg. If the
shell is dry, drop few drops of tepid water
at the point of pressure. Having taken of
the top of the shell, drop about ten drops oil
warm water around the body of the chick,
and put the egg, as it now stands, under the
hen, the open side uppermost behind or un-
der the fluff is the best situation. This done,
the chick is nine times out Of ten safe and
will hatch vigorously. have had wonder
lul experience in this line.-POultry Bulle-
tin.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-01-08
Pork--Then and Now.

Any one familiar with the appearance OF
our wholesale and retail provision markets,
for the past ten years, must have noticed a
great change in the pork there offered for
sale. Formerly, the demand was for full
grown aud wel.fattened hogs. "Pig pork"
was not considered up to par. When peo-
pie bought pork, they wanted fat pork, and
the dealers made it point to supply what
was called for. II farmer came into the
city, with load Of half-grown and habitat
tened porkers he did not find very ready
sale, lie must go to a third.rate market in
order to dispose Of his goods. Now all is
changed. A pig which will dress 200
pounds is the model porker if he has not
had meal and is not very fat, so much the
better. Lean meat and bones suit the Gus.
toners of these markets better than fat meat
aud lard. The large, fat, handsome, four or
five hundred-pound hogs, which were former.
ly the standard OF excellence, are very sell
dom wanted now. Our farmers complain
that there is no call for their large hogs.
No one wants them. lftaken at the market
at ALL the price must be lowered because the
pork is too fat. To plain, honest farmer
this looks like turning things the wrong side
out. 1t seems to him that fat creature is
better for food than a poor one, and conse.
quently ought to sell for higher price per
pound. But to be told that because it is
fat and good it is not wanted, and is not
worth as much by the pound, as a small aud
lean specimen, causes him to shake his head
and sorrowfully declare that times are
changed since he was a boy. Well, the
times have changed. They are always
changing; aud the farmer who means to be
successful must change with them. 1t is of
no use to produce what is not wanted. The
farmer must raise something which he can
sell If lean hogs are wanted and fat ones
will not sell, he must grow lean ones for the
market, but if he is wise he will have the fat
test and best for home use.-NeD ENGLAND
Homestead.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-01-08

HANDLING WET SoIL.-0n this subject
the California AgricUlturist says Better
not do it, because it Is an injury to it--an
injury that years of careful culture cannot
remedy. Heavy soil, once puddled and
packed when wet remains so for long time
Every step the horses take on wet soil
peaches it. The plow turns it over without
pulverizing it, and leaves a stiff glaze on the
burrows, Better be idle few days, or even
SOW the grain without plowing, and scratch
in when the surface dries off, than ruin oil
seriously iujure the soil by puddle-plowing
This way that many farmers have Of rushing
through when they get started, rain or shine
mud or mellow, regardless of consequences
is not according to the dictates of common
sense, aud is not profitable either. Better
pay your hired man to let it alone, than tC
pillow the soil when too wet,
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-01-08

the West The help is needed by the Pat
rons in both states, aud it should come
promptly aud generously without further de-
lay.-RanSaS Farmer.
To which We say most heartily, "Amen."
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-01-08

After making the outlay which most cities
do for sewers, they might let it run to places
of deposit, aud there use absorbents in the
shape of muck or Its equivalent, aud thor
oughly mix it. Then it could be sold to a
profit, aud farmers would readily buy it, in
stead of super-phosphates aud guauo. By
such a saving it would supersede the neoessi-
ty of our ships going to foreign countries for
fcrtilizing materials, and the country would
be benefited.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-01-08

This would be more than the interest at
per cent on $500 per acre. The most Of the
above account were actual sales have let
the house-rent, fre.wood and garden, offset
the seed used.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-01-08
Breed Types.

We will first consider milk in connection
with its yield, In general terms, the guam
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-01-08

not be planted OH any other but good corn
laud. Let other soils produce other crops.
What we mean by good corn land is, that
which will produce so or 60 bushels to the
acre with a fair dropping Of manure, good
culture and good season. Alter number
Of years of general observation and exper-
ence in the method Of preparing the soil,
manuring planting, cultivation and harvest
ing, | came to the conclusion, as did many
others, that it did not pay to raise corn. Ac-
cordiugly we hung up "tho shovel aud the
hoe" had our set of bags fixed up aud
marked, and set them agoing. No back
aches now, dropping and covering corn. No
wire worms to detest No cut worms to dig
after in the "eary morning" No cows to
condemn for stealing their breakfasts before
sunrise No weeds to cut or pull after hay.
ing. No stalks to cut and bind and carry
out aud shock on the grass. No broken
backs by the use Of the corn cutter, during
the golden days Of October. And finally,
no huskiugs as in the olden time.
All went OF so nicely, that one began to
feel that the farmers millennium had almost
come. But as he sat easily in his arm chaiS,
u lew pouuos hedNieA ptihapS iOi haNiu8 va
capped all these difficulties, "he saw another
sight" that startled him in his pleasant
reverie, viz:
Oct 10. To 10 bags meal, sa.lo, sll.oo
Nov. S, 4" I 2S, ii.G
Cash. s2.75
Please remit.
He has fed out 20 bags of meal-must
pay S5275 for it, The question comes up,
can do better2 Can Western farmers
own farm, tools, team, pay help and lay corn
at my door cheaper than can raise itY Can
they do it aud pay the commissions they do J.?
Can individuals aud corporations get rich
between the producer in the West and the
consumer in the East aud not afford to raise
that product right here in the market2 My
soil is good, the climate will admit, and
have the manure. Now what is the matter
There must be a screw loose in the "ma-
chine"
The Western farmer has the advantage of
soil that needs no manuring, aud he culti-
Yates larger fields But he must plant, tend
aud harvest. So must we. He gets less in
bushels to the acre than we do. His money
is worth Just as much as ours Labor is
about the same, though perhaps triile
cheaper What is there in his farm to bal
auce the cost Of freight East ?-Z. Breed, in
Mirror and Farmer.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-01-08

PREPARING Bones FOR Hops.-F. b. NJ,
Gowanda, n. Y, writes "Please give most
economical way Of preparing bones for hops ;
am short of stable manure, and can get bones
from our butchers"
Break up the bones with hammer, as
fine as convenient, then take hogshead or
tight box, place thin layer of bones on the
bottom, then a layer of good unleached wood
ashes, and continne with layer of bones
and ashes alternately till full Moisten
each layer as put in with hot water; place
where it will not freeze, and every day OF
two moisten with hot water, and the lye of
the ashes will eat up the bones and make
them fine. for application. The ashes, added,
will make potash phosphate, which will be
very valuable for the hop crop. Don't beairaid
to buy ashes for this purpose they are the
cheapest manure you can apply. 1t requires
two or three months to render the bone fine
in this way.-Lire Stock JOSrnal
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-01-08

RUBBER SHOES FOR HORSES. Rubber over
shoes for horses are recent invention. The
shoe is made and lined in precisely similar
manner to the articles of apparel worn by
the human race, and, in fact, presents no
points Of difference save in its shape and its
manufacture Of the best quality of india
rubber. 1t is designed as substitute Tor
the iron shoe, and as a means Of preventing
the many maladies to which horses feet are
subject. Horses suffering with cracked or
contracted hoof, and similar painful hurts,
it is said, are quickly cured by the substtu-
tion of the rubber covering for the unyied-
ing metal shoes. The device is easily re-
moved from or put on the hoof, aud hence,
while standing in the stall or turned out to
pasture, the horse may be left baretooted.
As compared with iron shoes, the cost of the
rubber is about oue-third more, and their
weight is forty per cent less, while they are
very durable. Sixteen sizes are manufac-
tured so that accurate fits may be obtained.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-01-08

Legitimate business advertising 75 cents per inch for
st Insertion each subsequent insertion, 50 cents per
inch. Special Notices 80 per cent additional. Farm
ers advertisements and the like, II paid in advance,
$500 az inch per moRth No lottery whisky, or other
swindling advertisements inserted at any price Cuts
must be on solid metal Advertising space limited
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-01-08

All papers stopped when the subscription paid for
has expired.
Money should by sent by postal money order, pay
able TO ROYAL CUMMINGS or by registered letter,
and when sent in either of these ways the safe trans
mission will be at our risk. money order for $40
or less costs hut FIVE cents Registration fees havo
been reduced 10 eight cents Money sent by ordinary
letter will seldom fail to reach us, hut We do not as
sune the risk.
Subscriber wishing his paper sent IN different post
Office must give the Of the Office 1t is noC sent To
as well as the ono II is 10 BE- sent to.
The date on your address label Is the time TO which
your subscription is paid Any subscriber noticing q
mistake n the date Of his label Is requested to notify
the nnllli.her At nnco.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-01-08

Free of Postage to any Point in the Unitsd
States or Canada.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-01-08
N1etmnAt GARNER
PUBLISHED WEEKLY.
1T ST. JOH.rSBURE, VT.
ROYAL CUMMINGS, Pub'r and PrOp'r.
WIN. II. WHEELER, Editor,
TERMS. AIway. In Advanos.

And one copy free for every ten.
, 1875-01-10

The late Gen. MORGAN L. SMITH, one Of the
braycst officers in the army, aud one Of the mos=
gallant soldiers sent out by the State Of Illinois
to aid in auppressing the Rebellion, had q grim
sense Of humor which frequently developed it.
self in his manor OF inficting punishment. He
had way Of making II very little punishment 60
very long way, and appearing terribly stern aud
threatening. A correspondent narzates An incl
dent which indicates sense Of humor in this
particular way. On one occasion his command
was embarked upon mississippi steamer, - The
City OF Memphis on their way to take part in
the attack on Ficksburg, and there we're his
headquarters. The boat was tied up for the night,
aud uas still lying 80 in the morning. when Gen.
SMITH, coming on deck, observed foragipg
party approaching. At that time there
were positive orders against foraging, md Ill
Offenders were severely punished. Coz. SAITH
ordered the arrest Of the Offenders. Ed threat
ensd tLem With conl1gn punishn They
made the excuse that they had only jt. entered
the sezvice, and this was tho first tiuo. shsJ bad