The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-12-01
BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.
Meeting at West Rutland.

QOIpn ana HeV. M. IL. Ducknau, prcSluen
of the University of Vermont and state
agricultural college made the board com
plete with the exception of His Excellency
Governor Peck and Gardner 3. Fassett, Of
Enosburgb. One member of the board has
recently deceased, Thomas L. Sheldon
esq.,, of Rupert. There wac larger at.
tendance than on Monday. We noticed
several from other towns, among them NJ.
o. Stoddard, Fred W. Moseley of Poult.
ney and II. N. Morgan of Castleton.
The first exercise of the day wos most
excellent paper from our townsman and
president of the meetingJ. Grafton Griggs,
esq.,, upon "the cultivation of the mind
and the SOIL" 1t wasa well prepared and
finely expressed paper upon the duty of the
farmer, to cultivate his mind as well as
his farm and that going hand In hand the
results brought forth the intelligent citizen
and the cultivated husbandman.
Col. John B. Mead of Randolph, fol-
lowed with an admirable aud eloquent adj
dress on Opportunities for young farui-
ers." The real opportunities for the young
farmer in Vermont were presented with
| great force, indicating that here amid our
mountains there were advantages which, if
used Alright, would bring as great a blessing
| to the home and life of the individual as
could be found in other sections, as well as
I ample pecuniery consideration. 1t was a
plea for the sons of Vermont to remain at
the old homestead, thereby adding to the
wealth and citizenship of the common
wealth assisting in building up our institu-
tions and enlarging the prosperity OF the
state. We wish the words of Col. Mead
could be heard in every town in the state.
The third paper by C. q. Pringle of
Charlotte, upon "The potato disease" was
an elaborate, scientific discussion of this
pest of the farmer, giving the formation
and process of the growth and causes of
the disease which attacks this important
esculent. Diagrams of the vegetable were
shown, giving an intelligent idea to the
audience of its composition and the ev-
licences of disease. The speaker, while
fully explaining its nature and ravages,
could give no remedy for the disease. The
paper indicated Mr.. Pringle to be one of
the most learned and practical scientists in
the state.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The meeting convened at 2 o'clock p. m.
The first paper of the afternoon was on
1.-THE Water Power of the State" by Henry
Clark of Rutland, which was followed by a
discussion of the subject by Col. John b..
Mead confirming the positions of tn epaper.
The next paper was upon "Sheep breed
ing" by our well-known enterprising
young townsman, John Fl. Mead, of West
Rutland. A rapid review was given of the
origin and history of sheep and the charac.
teris.ics of the different families. He then
presented, in an interesting manner, his
own experience in sheep breeding, and bis
appreciation of the real value of sheep hus-
bandry, announcing himself as having full
faith in the future success of wool growing
in Vermont. The paper was well received
and met with applause at its conclusion.
Our space forbids "a full abstract of Mr..
Meads interesting and valuable paper this
morning but we.shall, at some future time,
give its main features.
The next paper was read by Mr.. A.
McKeen of South Acworth, N. H., upon
"Poultry for the farmer" The sugges-
tons of the paper were listened to with
eager interest by ALL 1t gave the speakers
personal experience in the management of
fowls. 1t was valuable paper, which we
hope, at some time, to lay before the read
ers of THE GLOBE. The paper was dis
cussed by several gentlemen, and only the
lateness of the hour prevented a profitable
consideration of its several topics by those
interested in the subject.
EVENING.
ia good audience assembled in the even
ing, to listen to the closing exercises.
Hon. Alexis T. Smith, of New Haven
a member of the board, was the first
speaker, presenting his views upon "Tht
General Interests Of the Diary" Mr.
Smith is one of the largest dairymen II
this state, keeping hundred and fifty
cows. The practical address of Mr.. Smith
was received with much favor by hii
audience. His experiences were giver
in frank and outspoken manner, occa
sionally spiced with wit and mirthfulness
which put the audience in good humor
Such experiences as those narrated by
Senator Smith, prove of great help to thu
struggling farmer, and add interest to tn,
meetings of the board of agriculture.
The closing address of the session wa
delivered by President NJ. II. Buckham o
the state agricultural college, upon "Hom,
life on the farm" This was the crown
ing effort of the meeting, full of valuable
suggestions, expressed in the clear style
chaste diction and forcible language, 81
characteristic of all the speakers utter
ances. 1t gave great satisfaction, and tn
audience retired feeling that rich intel
lectual feast had been provided for them.
The meeting we feel sure has been one o
the most earnest and useful yet held by tb
board, and gives promise of successful
winter campaign under the direction of tn
new and able secretaryi Prof. Henry M
Seely, of Middebury college.
, The farmers present expressed them
selves greatly pleased and it is to be re
GREETED that ull the farmers of Rutlan
were not present to gather the facts and ex
perences 80 well expressed by practices
: men engaged in their own vocation.
The Inequalities of the citizens OF Yves
Rutland have been unbounded, and ever
attention has been shown the members O
the board and visitors from abroad, an