davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-01-07
A Very Important z uestf0n--The LIZ
ability Of Homestead Settlers to
Pay Taxes Before the Receipt of
Their Patent.
ST. PAUL, Dec. 81, 1874.
H.. Mnporoli-f.

ST.. PAUL, Dec. 81, 1874.
Editor Anti Monopolist:
DEAR SIR The communication Of
your correspondent, W. NJ. Davis, rel
alive to the right to tax the interest in,
and improvements on, land held by set
tiers under the homestead law, has
been carefully considered by Mr..
Clough, to whom you handed it, and
by myself, and we concur in the opin-
ion that the State has no such right; as
those improvements, as soon as they
become fixed to the soil, become part
of it, and no more taxable than the
land itself. No doubt exists whatever
that the land belongs to the United
States till final proof is made to the
satisfaction of the Land Commissioner
Of actual residence and cultivation for
the time specified in the homestead law,
and no one will pretend that a State
law authorizing the taxation of lands
belonging to the United States would
be constitutional and valid. Sec. 3,
Art. II Of the Constitution, as we'll as
the Congressional act of admission Of
the State into the Union, expressly
prohibits it.
It is a we'll settled legal principle
that what cannot be done directly can.
not be effected by indirect means. The
act of the State Legislature Chap. L.,
General Laws, 1874, attempts to au.
thorize the levy Of tax on lands be.
longing to the United States, by the
indirect means of CHASING as PERSONAL
property all improvements made by
persons upon lands held by them under
, the homestead laws of the United
, States, the fee Of which lands is still
vested in the United States
We think such a provision is
not only a violation Of the constitu.
ton, but in direct conflict with
the letter and spirit of the
act of Congress above mentioned
: and of the homestead acts passed by
,, Congress in pursuance Of the constitu
, tional right Of disposal Of the soil OIL
/: the United States.
By the enabling act the propositions te
. the State for admission, are offered 81
the express condition, which WAS &C
i cepted. that the constitution should
9 provide s'that the State shall never in
. terfere with the primary disposal o
I the soil within the same by the Unitet
{ States or with any regulations Congress
j may find necessary for securing tn
!. title in said soil to bona fde purchaser
y thereof"
i It has been held by the Suprem
I Court Of the United States, that 18th
:, same principle which forbids any Stat
!. legislation interfering with the power q
Congress to dispose Of the publ
property Of the United States, also 70,
q bids any legislation depriving til
!. grantees Of the United States of til
n possession and enjoyment Of the prof
1t erty granted BY reason Of any delay
5 the transfer Of the title after the CO,
y summation Of proceedings for its .
QUESTION
s. sThe contamination Of the title IS n,
matter which rests entirely With Il
The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-01-07
(rrom the Redwood Gazes,e-Rep.l

From the Redwood Gazet,e-Rep.)
The efforts that are being made to
implicate Mr.. King. the member of Con.
crcss. elect. from the Third District, in
the Pacific Mail scandal do not
promise success. The circumstances
detailed for that purpose are very fAl
! fetched. at best, and sound very much
like inventions.
Later intelligence does not fully sus.
tain the above.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-06-11
A Model Milk-room on Cheap Plan.

We have examined the milk-room or
milk.h0,se of Mr.. S. X. Randall Of Spring
field, and think description will be of in
terest to the readers of the FARMER.
The location is north of and about twenty
feet distant from his house and horse-barn,
and slightly shaded by them and apple trees.
The building is ten feet by twelve, set about
foot from the ground and open underneath.
The outside and inside ceiling boards are
planed, matched and jointcd with four inch
space filled with dry sawdust and six inches
of sawdust top Of the ceiling. Shingled
roof with common pitch, north gable partly
open. Two windows west side, one east
each with nine 7-by- 0 lights and blinds and
mosquito netting inside. The room is 7 feet
high, and has milk racks of boards lx3 in-
ches set edgewise, upon which are old
fashioned pans. 1t has double doors, and
the outside is painted white. Whole cost
about one hundred dollars The scrupulous
neatness which pervaded the room, the pure
air and rich golden cream upon the pans of
milk, seemed to give promise of delicious
butter.
There is no rubbish or decaying matter
about the premise to taint the air.
MIR. Randall informed US that the room
is always cool without the use of ice and
that milk will keep sweet about a hours in
the most sultry weather. The windows are
kept partially open to give good circula-
tiOn of air, and the blinds open on the shady
side, changing as the suncrosses the meridian.
1t is Mr.. RandalPs theory that the air
should be kept as dry as possible We
would like TO have butter makers tell the
readers of the FARMER if they agree with him
in that.
Mr.. Randall's whole farm is model Of
good culture, Deatness and thrift.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-06-11
Prices for Butter.

The Boston CRltiUatOr states that of 100
Franklin county, Mass, the 10th of May !;
prices ranged from l6 to 40c; l5 sold for
less than 20c.; AZ from 20 to 25c.; lS from
20 to SOC; Al from 80 to Soc; 0 from 35
to 40c.; only 8 lots out l30 sold for the
highest prices.
The editor, commenting on this fact, re-
marks "This shows an interesting state of
things-at least it is so to us, acquainted as
we are with that fine grazing section of the
"Old Bay State" We cannot help again
asking the producers Of the fifteen lots that
returned 20c. and less a h., Are you will.
ing to make butter for such prices, in other
words, for zoe, a h., when your neigAbors
get 4Oc. h., for their butter? If so, then
nothing we can say will change this state Of
things, If not, then investigate the subject
and learn the reason why these things are SO
We will hazard the remark that there is mo-
a dairyman's wife in Franklin County tha
will acknowledge that she makes poor butter
aud yet, and Notwithstanding such denials
OF 100 lots OF butter, more than half Of
them sold for less than 800. ID.
What difference it would make in re-
gard to the amount of money sent from the
Boston butter market, to FRANKLIN County
West, If all Of the 1870 lots had been SOLD
from 30 TO 40c. h., as it would but for the
traditional habit of making poor butter. Rise
aud shake of this traditional incubus, in-
herited, perahaDce, and in no wise imProb-
able, from generations long since passed
away. Will you do il
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-06-11
Breeding Horses.

1t appears that the breeders and farmers
of Maine have all been breeding small horses
and man looking for pair Of heavy team
horses is obliged to ride far and search long
This is q mistake. There should be stallions
in the state Of Maine suited to getting colts
which will make large horses, and mares
adapted to breeding that class Of horses
should be coupled with such stations. The
same is true Of Vermont or New Hamp-
shire. We would not advise all farmers to
breed that kind of horses, because the market
would be over-stoeked. There is and always
will be demand for class Of heavy horses
and the prices are likely to be remunerat,ve.
At the same time horse of lighter weight
and with more spirit and nervous force is re-
quirsd for roadster and for general use. Still
another class of horses the breeding Of which
pays we'll if managed with skill aud success
are those with special reference to speed
The farmer should turn his attention TO that
class for which his circumstances give the
best facilities. 1t should always be borne in
mind that nervous power and endurance are
of prime Importance in the horse, and it
makes little difference about his weight,
form or action if be is lacking in these quail
tiles. Old Justin Morgan, horse Of less
than thousand pCuads weight, possessed
these qualities in such a remarkable degtee
that he was able to do his six days work 10
week in logging swamp or anywhere else,
and be fresh enough at any time, to out
walk, out-trot, out-run and out-draw all
comers, and to transmit these qualities to
his progeny.
The editor Of the Maine Farmer is moved
to speak on this matter, and his remarks
will be found in another column.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-06-11
Maine State Fair.

We learn from the Maine Farmer that
the State agricultural society Of Maine have
located the fair for three years on the new
grounds of the Presumpscott park associa-
ton, near Portland The State associations
combine to make the fair state exhibition
and labor together for its success.
Premiums amounting to Sl,700 will be
offered for cattle; for sheep, S246; for
swine, Sl3S; for horses Irregular premiums)
$3.50, and for trotting, $3.50 in the follow
ing classes, viz; for green horses, 5000 ;
2,40 class, $3.50; 8 yr. olds, $3.50; 3
minute, $3.50; 2.35 horses, $500; yr.
olds, Sl50; 2 80 horses, 5000; 25S horses,
$3.50; 2.45 horses, 5000; Free to All, y
250-makiug total of over $4,000 for the
various classes of horses A new feature
will be two sweepstake premiums of 5000,
and 500, respectively, for drawing oxen,
which will be likely to create much interest
and considerable competition among cattle
men.
The society has decided to close the pre-,
miums in the live stock and implement classes
before the opening of the fair, SO that cat
alogue may be printed, giving the list of en-
tries and the location of the animals and ar
tcles, which will be for sale on the opening
day Of the exhibition. This will also af-
ford other useful information, and will in
fact be sort of guido to the fair that will
render it of great value to spectators and
visitors
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-06-11
WHOLE NO. 236.
Vermont Fish and Game Association.

The corporators of the "Vermont asso-
citation for the protection and preservation Of
fish and game met at the American hotel,
Burlington, on Tuesday. The meeting was
called to order by Hon. e. j. Phelps Of
Burlington, aud Hon. M. @. Edmunds of
Weston, was called to the chair, and George
Gregory Smith of st. Albans, elected secre-
tary, pro tenn.
The committee on constitution and by
laws, submitted draft of bylaws, which
was laid on the table for further considera-
tion.
M. @. Edmunds of Weston, George
Gregory Smith of st. Albans, NJ. S. Col
burn Of Manchester, DR.. George f. Gale of
Brattleboro, and Gen. W. Y. W. Ripley Of
Rutland, were elected delegates to the inter-
national convention of American sportsmen
to be held at Cleveland, Ohio, on the 9Th
and 9th of June proximo. The delegates
were authorized to appoint substitutes.
We clip the above from an exchange.
The only fault we have to find with sports.
men as class is that they have no regard
for the laws Of God or man. Now if the
vermont association for the protection and
preservation of fish and game will inaugu-
rate reform in this matter they shall have
our hearty cooperation.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-06-11

crop of Of such lands this year, unless they
are plowed, manured aud sowed to Huugra-
ian grass. Bat this is an annual, aud when
mown this year that is the end Of IL, and be-
sides il is supposed the farmer has not the
manure. If the farmer will give little otten-
ton to saving aud making mluure all summer;
scrope over the yards, haul in muck that
has been piled up and frozen over winter
loan, tart or any dirt in his COW yard and
pig yard to absorb the liquids, put it in the
trenches il his COWS are stabbed, mix II in
equal parts with the horse manure, dump a
load to receive the water from the sink
spout, scrape up all the sweepiugs and every
thing about the premises, and work all over
in heap until 6ne, he will 10 the fall have
fine lot Of compost. After haying plow
upone Of these old mowings shallow, not over
plow that crumbes the sod, harrow il aud
spread on six, eight or ten twO-horsO loads
to the acre Of the fine compost harrow 1t in
until the surface is foe and smooth, aud SOW
with grass seed, say timothy and red top,
seed literally, and roll it. Tho earlier the
seed is sown the better, unless il is very dry,
but it may be done any time before the
ground freezes. Early next spring, By all
means early, before the frost begins to come
out, or at least while the soil is yet full Of
water, SOW clover aud plaster. If the soil
is full Of weed seeds they will come up with
the grass. In that case it may be necessary
to NOV the first crop earlier than would
otherwise be best 1t is safe to predict that
such field will give several good crops Of
grass which will make manure enough for a
heavy dressing by the time it requires plow-
ing again.
As for the rest Of the old fields, we would
SOW in the fall, or any time this sumner,
just before rain, peck to half a bushel of
plaster to an acre, aud ope for 4 reward
next year. IL half bushel of salt and a
lew bushels OF ashes be added, the expecta-
tiOn may be stronger, and if the whole be
thoroughly mixed with few cart,loads of
fine frost.cured muck, or even soil, and a
soil different from that Of the field is prefer
able, we should count with much confidence
on substantial increase of the crop. We
have seen patches of an old moving revived
and brought into productive condition by a
thin sprinkling of its own soil thrown on the
grass,
We have given more than a categorical
reply to the questions Of j. L., because so
many farmers in the same predicameut are
seeking relief 1t is hoped that j. l.. and
others interested, will talk this matter up
and do something, this year, and tell others
through the FARMER of the results, whether
good, bad or Indifferent
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-06-11
The Scientific Farmer.

We have received the FIRST number of the
new monthly, published at Amherst, Mass,
under the above name. 1t is a readable
paper, conducted with ability aud fullfls tn
promise of the publishers. The Springfield
Republican in complimentary notice of it
advises the other agricultural papers of
western Massachusetts to consolidate with it,
making especial mention of the New Eng
land Homestead, burned out the other day.
That would doubtless be good thing for
tho Scientific Farmer. But perhaps Mr..
Burt will think he has labored too long to
put the Homestead on a solid basis to give
up its identity now, even though burned out.
We hope the new paper will be able to at
tain a living success of its own without
swallowing up any Of its contemporaries. The
papers which make agricultural reading q
leading feature are none too many.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-06-11
What Breed of Cows best for the Dairy.

A correspondent of tho Ohio Farmer
says:
In regard to what particular breed Of
COWS is most valuable for the milk dairy, it
is difficult to decide. One man who pro-
fesses to be well informed as to the merits
Of the different breeds, will assert that the
Ayrshires deservedly stand at the head of
the list His neighbor will reply that they
are little, wild, kicking, ill-shaped brutes,
and he wouldn't have them on his farm at
any price. The third man we meet favors
Short-horns, the next thinks there is nothing
equal to the Dutch cattle, while yet another
will decide that nothing yet brought to pub
lie notice is equal to our native stock.
There can be no doubt but that good
specimens for either the milk or butter
dairy can be selected from almost any breed
We once owned half.blooded Devon COW
that gave sixty pounds of milk per day dur
ing the best of the season, but we would not
be willing to argue from that, that the Dew
ons excel as mixers. Some families of
Short-horns and Short-horn crosses with Sc
lected natives are well worthy of notice. We
have, for example, record of the COW Flora
| "a. II. b., VOL VII, page 253). First test,
10 days, 81 pounds milk, 2la pounds but
ter; last test, l02 pounds milk, 81 pounds
butter. For the season, milk 10, ,452 pounds,
butter AS 7-l6 pounds.
The COW Rose" leaves a record Of the
extraordinary yield of ll,705 pounds milk
during the season of 1873. And even that
remarkable yield is surpassed by "Maid of
Athol" in 1874. "Birst ten days test, milk,
5Sl pounds; butter 2l1 pounds last test,
milk, lSl lbs. butter 81 lbs. For season,
milk, 1855 lbs. butter, 5l3 lbs" 1t is
not to be supposed that all Short-horn cows
will yield the amount OF milk above reported
Such reports are not published because they
are ordinary, but rather because they are
extraordinary examples of that particular
class or breed. Short-horns were originally
noted mixers, yielding well in proportion to
the amount Of food consumed and "holding
out" well throughout the season. We have
said that originally they were noted mixers,
but it is true, on the other hand, that, as a
rule, this very valuable quality has not been
kept in view by breeders, either in our own
country or in England
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-06-11
Indian Corn.
OF this crop the Ohio Farmer says;

OF this crop the Ohio Farmer says;
Corn is by far the most important crop of
our country. 1t is crop also well adapted
to our soil and climate, in some of its varie.
ties, from Maine to the Gulf Of Mexico, and
from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.
Much Of our prosperity depends upon it,
while the export of the crop might defy
famine throughout the world, for the excess
in quantity beyond what is required for our
own consumption, may be increased almost
indefinitely. Whenever Europe is deficient
Of food, America stands ready with her corn
crop to supply the deficiency.
In many parts Of the country it is the food
of both men and animals; and its use for
food might still be greatly increased, both as
matter of health and economy. 1t is safe
to affirm that the same amount of heathful
nutriment cannot be obtained, at the same
cost, in any other article of food, as in a
given amount Of Indian corn. While one
bushel of wheat will make about forty
pounds of -four, one bushel Of corn will make
fifty pounds of bOlted meal, and pay the toll
for grinding; and the corn meal contains as
much nutriment, pound for pound, as the
wheat -four and costs about half as much, as
a general rule. And, besides this, one acre
Of ground will produce double the number of
bushels of corn that it will of wheat, while
its stalks, at the North, will nearly pay the
entire cost of raising the crop.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-06-11

for its producing any specific effect, it does
often act like a charm; aud what seems
equally strange, COWS troubled with garget
often show an appetite for il, though they
would reject IL at other times. Dose bulk
of half hens egg. Half an ounce Of salt
peter morning and evening, dissolved in the
water she drinks, will often render essential
aid. When the case is so severe as to need
internal remedies, the bag besides being
washed morning and evening with warm
water, may be bathed in the middle Of the
day with liquor Of ammonia diluted with
some light oil like oil of turpentine, and we'll
rubbed in. This will help to dissolve and
scatter the obstructing matter In such
case the patient should be kept in comfor-
table stable and lightly fed with laxative
food
This is the best course Of treatment known
to the writer. Perhaps some one else may
give better directions. 1t is essential to
treat garget on its first appearance. If al
lowed to run, il is liable to terminate in
liberation, which, when once fully estab-
lished, have never been able to heal.
We cannot endorse Mr.. Arnold's recon-
menda ton OF saltpeter
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-06-11

ing Of premiums for colts-and to note the
position Of those horses to-day, to. be con.
WINGED that there is after all, much spocula-
tion in this matter Of breeding, aud possibly,
as in many other things, something of fash.
ion. And as the "iashiou" has been to
breed for speed, to breed light, aeoty horses,
1t may be question worth considering, il it
would not be better to breed at least in part,
toward size and general working capacity ?
there is, it would seem, lack of such
horses among US. The frequent instances
we hear of parties bringing large horses
from the West, and from New Brunswick
TO various points in this state, and of their
ready sale to those wishing heavy horses
horses that are good workers and good road
sters, weighing from eleven to thirteen hun.
dred pounds-should, it seems to us, set our
farmers to revolving a question something
like this in their minds "Can we not breed
such horses as these here in Maine, as well
as to purchase from abroad2" And H
breeders aTd others have anything to say
about this matter, we invite them to use our
columns for the purpose.--Maine Farmer.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-06-11
A Milch Cow.

A regular correspondent of the Country
Gentleman who signs f. Co." writes:
A milch COW should be quiet and content
ed. She will have to be petted and made
much of. This influences her domesticity,
and that, in the milch cow, seems to be al
lied to the maternal feeling which prompts
to lacteal secretion. But whether this is 80
or not, certain it is that where single COW
is petted and well taken care of, there is a
great increase in the milk over her former
yield when kept in the herd. 1 have known
quite a number of such cases. L never
knew one that did not show this improve
ment. And now we have come to the point
in discussion-the difference in the quality
of herds with respect to their size. Treat
each of the members of the herd like the one
taken from it and kept as a single COW, and
the whole herd would be improved. 1t
would be improved to such an extent as
could not well be done by mere selection
My experience has revealed to me the fact
that our native COWS, which form the staple
Of our dairies, are capable Of great improve
ment, probably because they came of good
blood originally when brought over, but
have been abused or permitted to run down.
1t needs only good treatment to bring them
up to a good point. This is my experience,
and is one of the principal sources of profit
in securing dairy herd. There are COWS
the Ayrshires-that give more milk, and the
Jerseys, that have more cream, but for profit
on the whole, the common native, so far as
the writer's experience goes, surpasses them
both-only, however, when the treatment is
discriminative and thorough. Then the ad-
vantage, with the whole herd, will be SINH
lar to that Of the one COW separated from it.
But this is seldom fully realized, because
the requisite pains are not taken, and the
principle is not sufficiently understood.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-06-11

Young men who are anxious for life
that shall be more eventful and hold larger
promise of honor and renown than that of
the farmer will do we'll to read and reflect
on the following;
Sometime during the last years of his life
the late John Quincy Adams wrote, beneath
a portrait of himself, some lines, of which
the following is one "An age of sorrow, and
a life of storm" These words we're not
written by wretched outcast, dying in the
poor-house, but by one Of the marked favor
ties of external fortune. The late Harrison
Gray Otis, in public speech of his later
days, said: GAS look back over my exist
ence 1 see pathway of mingled roses and
thorns; but the roses have long since disap-
peared, and the thorns only remain" This
was the confession of man who had every.
thing that almost every human being Of our
generation thinks worth having and is striv-
ing distractedly to get: health, strength
beauty, grace, eloquence, culture, populari-
ty, eight hundred thousand dollars, palace
on the most exquisite spot in Boston, a
United States senatorship.