davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-07-23
Dairying in Franklin County.

Mr.. EDITOR
In your paper of July 8, refe rring to
Frankin county, the question was asked,
"why do not the dairymen of this county
adopt the associated system in the mpnuiac-
ture of butter2"
Only few years ago, that system was
adopted extensively here in the manufacture
of cheese, but at present, only one cheese
factory is in operation. The great improve
ments in dairy utensils for the manufacture
of butter, such as the patent milk pans, have
taken the place Of cheese factories. The first
of these pans introduced here was the jew EFT
pan, of which there were great many sold
for the first two years, but they did not prove
to be very durable Next came the Saith
pan, but for some reason, but few were sold
and they were generally conceded to be bat
little Improvement. In the spring OF 1873,
w. o. Campbell, of Richford, came out with
his compartment pan and met with surprising
success in his sales, and succeeded in satisfy
1
ing the people, in general, Of its superior
merits the first season, and since that time
hundreds have been sold in this county alone
while their trade outside is rapidly increasing
The indications early in this season were
that Campbell Il Co. were going to have a
sharp competition, as several agents for Other
pans were canvassing the county, Offering
their pans at low prices, these happening to
gain a reputation here, and they did succeed in
several cases in putting them in on trial bu
we have learned lately of most of them hav
, ing been returned and we understand that il
most of these instances the compartment paI
is to take their places, which leaves it nov
almost the universal pan in this section
; Our dairymen milk their cows at hom
) and want their waste milk or whey for thei
/ COWS, calves, and swine, and as butter max
ing with large pans properly adjusted is com
5 parAtively but little work, and as tho com
5 partmeut pan can be used at all seasons Q
the year, it is altogether probable that n
| butter factories will be built in this count,
for the present. FRANKLIN.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-07-23
Shelter for Sheep.

If one were to judge solely from the at
tention which sheep receive in this country
from the majority of men who own them, he
would imagine that they were among the
most rugged aud hardy classes of all our do
nestle animals. This judgment, of scourse,
would be incorrect but they are treated as
though they we're well able to take care of
themselves. And to this fact are due many
OF the greatest losses which sheep owners an-
nually sustain. A great many men have
tried sheep husbaudry and in a few years
left it in disgust. They say it is hard
business, and will not pay for the capital in-
vested and the time required. My expert
ence has been different. have found sheep
husbandry one of the most profitable kinds
Of farm business. 1t has paid me we'll, and
it will pay others well if they will only take
pains to adapt their means to the end which
they have in view. Sheep and lambs do not
want the same kind Of care and treatment
that oxen need, and if they are fed and
treated like oxen, they will not be very pref.
table to their owner. While exposure is
injurious to all kinds of farm stock, some
will endure it better than others. The
breeds of sheep usually kept in this country
are not extremely hardy, aud cannot stand
great amount of neglect and exposure they
ueed good food and kind treatment. In the
summer 1t is very desirable that they should
have shelter at night and during hard storms.
If the pasture is far from the farm there ought
to he a shed built in the lot, to which they can
60 when the heat is intense, during the show
ers, and in which they can stay at night.
Last year | drove my sheep to the barn and
kept them in their shed every night. also
drove them in when there was likely to be a
bard shower. For many years | have taken
u great deal of care of them, and have had
my reward. While my neighbors have had
sickness in their focks, weak lambs, and
many losses, my sheep have been strong and
well, lambs vigorous, and the whole flock il
prime condition and to keep them so ha
cost me but little time and work | pastur,
the cows and sheep in the same lot, and driv,
them to and from the barn together And
am convinced that it pays to keep them shelter
ed from the storms and dews. For awhile afte
shearing they need extra care, aud | takC
pains to keep them from the rain for severa
days. am well aware that such littl
things are generally considered beneath tn,
notice of the average American farmer, bu
| am also confident that it would be for hi.
interest to give them more attention.
Live Stock Journal
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-07-23

commands paying price. This year, in view
Of the deficiency Of the wheat crop, there
will be no risk in culture. whatever.
The usual way Of harvesting buckwheAt
is to cradle it, rake aud set up in small
bunchcs, twisting the tops together, and
when dry enough, haul TO the barn and
thrash it on the floor. BY this method Of
thrashing, many grains are crushed and
wasted. A better way is to build plat
form Of small poles, or narrow boards set
up edgewise, and elevated six inches above
the barn floor. As the grain is thrashed out
IL falls through between the boards, and is
safe from injury. Many thrash it in the
fields, on similar platforms with sheets or
quilts underneath. 1t is decidedly better to
haul it to tho barn. The straw is saved, the
grain can be cleaned aud handled more con
veniently, and there is less liability to get
"grit" in it. If large crop is raised, the
machine should be used for thrashing it.
Buckwheat straw contains lime, maguesia,
potash, soda, phosphoric and sulphuric acid
all essential elements to plant growth,
and hence arises its Importance as green
manuring plant, in connection with the fact
that it is very rapid grower, and like
clover, draws its growth largely from the
atmosphere. The straw Of buckwheat after
it is tnrashed, should be carefully saved To
augment the manure pile. TOhio Farmer.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-07-23
Buckwheat.

Buckwheat, as a cultivated crop, is about
as widely distributed throughout the world
as wheat itself. 1t is found in nearly all
civilized countries of the globe, and in many
places forms an important part of the food
eaten. Its unusual adaptabiity to all kinds
of soils, and especially the success with
which its culture is attended in poor and in-
ferior soils, commend it TO the attention of
farmers everywhere. No other crop can
equal it in subduing and cleansing land, and
its merits as green manure are too we'll
known to the intelligent reader, to require
repeating. Notwithstanding it will grow
and produce we'll on most soils, it undoubt-
edly does best on a mellow, sandy soil. On
rich, and especially moist land, it does not
grain well, its growth running principally
to straw. On rough lands and dry hills it
is as profitable crop as can be cultivated.
1t is usually sOwn the latter part of this
month or the first Of next. When the sea-
son proves favorable, it fills better late
in autumn, but the risk of frost is too great
and we advise sowing as early in July as
possible. Sown broadcast, bushel per acre
is plenty-with a drill half that quantity
will do. A dressing with lime aud ashes, OF
both, will sometimes almost double this crop
where lime is deficient in the SOIL A light
dressing Of gypsum or guano, on poor soils
will always pay. BuckWheat generally
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-07-23
For the VERMONT FARMER.
Shall We Use Commercial Fertilizersl

This is a question of great importance to
the farmers of Vermont, considering the
amount of money that goes out of the state
every year for the same. 1t is a question
that, to a certain extent we farmers must
answer for ourselves by careful experiment
as, what certain fertilizer will do on one
soil and under certain circumstances, it will
not do on different soils and under different
circumstances. For example, farmer hav.
ing cayey loan for soil will nearly always
get good results from the use of plaster; but
then it does not follow that farmer having
a black lime rock soil will get the same re-
suits from its use. But let him use hard
wood ashes, and venture the prediction that
he will get as good results as the other man
with his plaster, Then let US all experiment
for ourselves, and when we get the results,
report them through the columns Of the
VERMONT FARMER for the benefit of our
brother farmers. Right here | wish to di-
gress from my subject and say word for
the FARMER, and by "the Farmer" l do not
mean the New England Farmer, as DR.. Hos
kIns would inform us we mean when we say
"the Farmer" but the VERMONT FARMER, a
paper have taken since its start, and find
it more than fills the place Of the New England
Farmer for me, as took the New England
Farmer previous to the starting Of our YER,
MONT FARMER; also the first year or two Of
its publication. Since which time | have
found the VERMONT FARMER to be worth
more to me, to say nothing Of getting 1t al
a less price, and knowing the publisher and
proprietor as well as l do, l feel sure We
may always depend upon him for giving Us
paper that will stand with fright" for it
motto. Then let us give him such support
as will pay him for his labors for us s-th,
f laboring men of old Vermont and the world
and let US, one and all, add our unite" t,
the general store How few there are of u
| but who might give some fact for the FAR
} MER that would be worth more than the sub
{ scription price OF the paper to many of Ou
f farmers. Then let us give them rousln
: subscription list, thereby furnishing tn
G wherewith to give us the best paper in oil
D Vermont.
= But to return to my subject, the use {
/. commercial fertilizers. When the result
, are such as had, last year, with Bradley
y phosphate on green sward potatoes where
Il spoonful to the hill doubled the crop, an
# having seeded down the same piece, tn
|. spring. to oats without any manure, the row
d and hills both show plainly where the pho
phate was. have also a piece where
}, used Bradley's phosphate in the hill on tu
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-07-23
The HOlstein Cow.

Tho Holsten bred COWS are ow attract
ing much attention in various parts of this
continent, from their wonderful milking quail
tiles. They are natives of the Dorth Of Ger
maDy, large, heavy cattle, of compact form,
making, when iattened, excellent beef, and
being also good workers. They have been
grown in Holland for generations, with spe-
cial regard to their milking qualities. In
that country, they are invariably black and
white but in their native Duchy they are
found Of various colors. The quality of the
milk Of the Holstein is such as fits it well for
the cheese-maker, the globules being small,
uniform in size. The skim.milk is Of very
blue tinge. The butter made from the cream
possesses great lasting qualities.
Several instances are ou record, and are
well authenticated, where COWS Of this breed
have given large quantities Of milk. One
cow is certified to have yielded an average
of Is quarts a day for nine months. A
hefer owned in Ohemung Co., N. Yr gave
after her first calf Is quarts a day for nine
months. An instance is also recorded where
Holstein gave IA pounds for ten consecutive
days, of milk that yielded 22.70 Of cream.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-07-23

nips and potatoes, without any manure, where
l could see the benefit Of the phosphate not
only on the grain crop, but on the grass get
ting better catch where the hills we're. |
now have piece Of potatoes on broken-up
ground. part Of the crop with stable ma
nure we'll narrowed into the top, and part
with spoonful Of Bradleys phosphate in
each hill, planted at the same time. The
potatoes where the phosphate was used are
nearly twice as large and of better color than
where the manure was narrowed in, but shall
hardly expect the phosphate tOcome out ahead
in the fall, although shall watch the results
with interest. l Hnd Gu our soil spoonful
Of phosphate to the hill on well manured
land increases the corn crop more than
enough to pay the expense, to say nothing
of its forwarding the crop from one to two
weeks. 1 have averaged to use about half
ton Of phosphate each year for tho past
eight years, and am satisfied on the whole
that it has paid me well for using, but would
advise no one to use any brand Of phosphate
to any great extent without first satisfying
himself that it will pay on his soil
Will you please inform me through the col
umns of the FARMER the best time to set out
currant bushes, and oblige.
Yours truly,
Il. p. ALLEN.
[Mr. Aliens advice to test the effect Of
superphOsphate on each mans soil before in-
vesting to any extent is sound. We have
no doubt that on soil adapted to it, good
article Of superphosphate in connection with
baru-yard manure pays well IN starting and
forwarding crops. We cannot advise its use
as substitute for manure.
We have had no experience in setting cur
rant bushes, but would suppose that they
would do well at any time when not in ac-
tive growth. Perhaps readers Of the FARMER
can answer.
Mr.. Allen will accept our thanks for words
of encouragement for the FARMER. We ask
the farmers to help us make it worthy of the
support and of the cause in which We are
laborers in common.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-07-23

We were the subject of a visitation of
Providence on the 9th inst, in the shape
of hail storm. Stones third to half an
inch in diameter fell in abundance accompa-
MED by very high wind. The crops suffer-
ed severely. Corn was beaten down and
combed out SO that after nearly a week it
looks like hopeless case. Potato vines
were cut off, turnip leaves ditto. Gardens
are ruined The storm covered belt about
mile wide, and its course was towards the
north east. How far it extended wo have
not learned, as we have been so unfortunate
as not to be able to use our eyes at all for
reading for nearly two weeks.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-07-23
Poultry on the Farm.

| am glad to see by your contributors
among the farmers wives that they are TAX
ing lively interest in poultry l have
kept hens aud ducks, and like "Duck-wing"
| prefer the latter. But she has got the
start of me. My ducks have not produced
such result and perhaps it is because
used only ducks to hatch the eggs, and
this prevented my getting as many eggs or
ducklings in proportion to my number of
ducks. About seventy eggs to duck is as
many as l have ever had. But my sue
cess in raising young ducks has been fair.
From twenty ducks and five brakes | have
raised as many as 300 ducklingS for the city
market have not such picturesque elm
standing on such lovely little swell of land
overlooking the innocent pastime of my pets
as "Duck-wing" My duck pond is nothing
but an oozy bayou from Lake Michigan, out
OF which they seem TO get much food, mostly
fish. l also use the waste of a butchers
shop near by. The duck is a great flesh
eater, and very easy to provide for, if you
have the means. find ducks excellent sit
ters, and perhaps they may as well spend
their time that way as any other. l know
the objection that is raised-that they eat
so much aud that therefore it is better to
hatch under hens, This may be true where
all the food Is expensive, but with me- ducks
can be kept at about the same expense as
hens. My ducks hatch and rear, on an
average of fifteen ducklings at a sitting. l
have warm place for them in winter, and
give them plenty of straw. raise as many
as possible early, for these bring the best
price, but 81 or $3.50 per pair is all can
get. The fact is, have not got the genius
of "Duck-wing," | simply sell my ducks for
all l can get, and instead of laying it out for
mere gew-gaws, pat most of it in savings
bank at interest, aud shall use the accumu-
latiou to pay for another small piece of land
which my husband wants to buy.
... [Oor. Live Stock Journal.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-07-23
BREvITIES.

The farmers Of Texas have harvested an
excellent crop of wheat
The Louisiana grange agency ships sugars,
coffee, &C., from New Orleans to st. Louis
at ten cents per hundred pounds.
The champion farmer is Michael Sullivan
Of Ford county, ILL.,, who has $4,000 acres
in wheat and 5000 in oats and fax. He
has 400 teams at work, and no less than 800
persons on his place.
The troubles Of Connecticut agriculturists
are now increasing by the ants, which have
begun chewing tobacco in some localities,
and in several cases have destroyed the en-.
tire crop. +
The New England Patrons purchase on an
average 10000 barrels Of -four per month
directly from mills owned by graugers. The
average saving is sl.5O per barrel, or sl5,-
600 per month.
MIR. George Fox, agent of some English
stock breeders, recently offered Mr.. Vaneter
Of Kentucky $4,000 for his herd Of "a
Short Horn cattle, or $4,000 for eight of
his own pick, but the offer was declined.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-07-23
Recreation for Farmers.

We read in an agricultural journal, the rec
ommendation to farmers, to take few days
for rest and recreation after harvest, by going
a fishing. This is good, but we propose
something better. We like recreation, but
we never could get time TO go a fishing, nor
could we discover the great fascination in
holding pole and cord in the water for
hours, with the hope of jerking out OCCASION
ally small animal with sharp hook in its
tender mouth. Is there not a better way
for farmers to enjoy themselves for few
days after harvest If they and their chill
dren have any taste for science, sketching,
and making natural history collections, let
them hitch the horses to the carriage and
take jaunt to the widest woods. rocks and
ravines for this purpose. Collecting miner.
ais, pressing and drying plants, sketching
trees with twisted trunks and roots, or wild
rocky scenery securing the roots Of wild
flowers for removal to the garden or door
yard, in all these and many other amuse.
ments of the kind, there is a great deal of
real intellectual fascination. Do you say
you have no such things? Then we are
sorry for this great vacuum in life's enjoy
ments But the taste may be cultivated.
1t is too valuable to leave undeveloped.
There is not one person in ten who has not
a real or latent taste for them. Examine
and study the beauty of natural scenery, and
in little while you will begin to admire it.
Use microscope on the minute and beauti.
ful parts of plants, flowers and insects, and
you will soon find an inexhaustible fund of
in nd nnTn nanN /
collections Of shells, minerals, insects, &C.,
you will secure permanent record of your
rambles, as well as a museum OF scientific
value. This is a kind of recreation that gives
permanent enjoyment, not found in Jolly
and senseless parties and throngs.
Country Gentleman.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-07-23
Agricultural Impossibilities.

The New England Farmer copies with
approval an editorial under the above title
from the Vermont Watchman, and then,
apropos Of the statement therein that it will
take three times as much plant food to grow
one thousand eight hundred pounds of oats
as it will to grow six hundred pounds, copies
from the same column the following item {:
A pair of six.year.old graded Devon oxen,
weighing four thousand seven hundred pounds
were sold recently in Gilmanton, N. H., for
1925 A pair of ordinary native cattle
would have cost Just as much to raise. and
would have sold for about half as much.
And then remarks:
Now, we are not quite sharp enough to
see how, if the above reasoning about large
crops is correct, it is possible to raise yoke
of cattle weighing forty-seven hundred
pounds as chcaply as pair weighing two
thirds that number of pounds, allowing that
each pair are healthy and good feeders.
Of course, we do not doubt that cattle may
sometimes be out of condition, and that at
such times they may waste all the food they
consume /; but, aside from such disturbing
influences, is it fair to assume that it takes no
more hay and grain to grow two tons of beef
than to grow one ton? Is not this, also, one
of the agricultural impossibilities?"
To this the Watchman responds as fol-
lows:
Yes, sir it is an agricultural impos-
sibility," and we thank you for calling our
attention to the item, which did not emanate
from the agricultural editor but was SCISSOR.
ed to fill out the column. And that samC
scissoring by non.expert in agriculture is
pregnant comment on the way "agrioul-
tural departments" in most of our papers
are "edited, !" and thus made the vehicles fOl
the dissemination Of "a vast and varied mis-
information" The printers who, without
practical knowledge of the subject, under
take to supply their readers with agricultural
reading, are continually printing similar alb
surdities.
Now we entertain the greatest respect fo
the opinion Of Brothers Cheeyer and Hos
kins, and regard them as among the yer,
ablest and most careful of agricultural edit
ors, but the way in which that unfortunat
item in relation to the yoke of Gilmanto
oxen is treated is in our opinion calculate
to mislead farmers, and to convey by impli
cation, the notion that native or scrub cattl
are just as good for converting the forage {
the farm into beef as those improved by gra
ing up with theimproved breeds They appea
to reason by analogy, that because the so
takes given amount of plant food to max
pound of oats it will therefore use ju
thrice that to make three pounds, hence
one animal requires given amount of nutr
ment to make pound Of beef, another OF
will produce beef in the same proportion
available nutriment consumed. The prop
stion of the Watchman is correct in prime
pie, of course But DR.. Hoskins is tc
sound man to go one step further and 81
two plots of soil Of different character W
each make the same number of pounds
oats Of given quantity of plant foo
And yet this is just what is to be impli
in regard to the cattle statement.
The cattle item, if taken for an averag
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-07-23

When hay goes to the barn so damp that
it Is liable to injure by heating, half doz'
en- forkfuls of old hay or straw sprinkled
evenly over the NOV after each load is put
in, will absorb the moisture, and frequently
bring out hay bright and green which would
otherwise be nearly ruined
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-07-23

The hay season is late. The grass con-
tinued to grow with the late rains, and many
farmers who usually get half done before
"the fourth" did not begin until alter that
date, and are now cutting fair crop, be-
tween showers. The weather is catching,
and progress is slow. Grass is maturing
faster than usual, and much is liable to
become over-ripe before it can be cut.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-07-23
Statement of Milk.

EAST BERKsnIRE, June %, 1875.
Mr.. EDIToR
Enclosed you will find the statement Of
how much milk my COW gave IN one week
and how much butter was made from the
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-07-23

If there are stones in the mowings which
interfere with the operation of the mower
now is good time to find them. Dig them
out at odd jobs as opportunity offers and
haul them off before the second crop gets up.
A little stone, which could be removed in a
minute often Injuries mower, causing
loss in cost of repairs and delay, of many
dollars.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-07-23

A single load Of hay that heats il NOW
will! steam up through ten loads or more
that may be above it and injure the whole.