Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-01-14


Me- john II. Mead Of West Rutland read
a paper on "Sheep Husbandry." II was fol.
lowed by a lively discussion on dogs killing
sheep, the subject being referred to commit
tee for a report
A paper entitled "Out Of the Ruts," was
volunteered by Mrs Edwin Carlton Of Barre,
after which Prof w. D. Atwater Of
Wesleyan University, Connecticut aud di.
rector Of the first agricultural station estab-
lished in the United States, was introduced.
He announced for his subject agricultural
Experiment Stations" and referred TO his
personal "reminiscences and the fact that his
bOyhood was spent among the Green Noun
taius. He proceeded TO answer the question,
what are experiment stations2 He stated
that every farmer is constantly making sgri-
ooltafal experiments, but owing to the lack
Of facilities and previous training in care
ful observation the results are not satisiac.
tory. These stations are to supplement the
work Of the farmer and carry out expert
ments. which, however desirable and valua-
Bile, his time and circumstances will not per-
init him to complete. Specialties have
grown up. division OF labor has been found
remuneratiye, SO the experiment station has
come in as speciality to the assistance Of
the farmer.
The FIRST station was established in Saxony
in 1852 aud, with the exception of the year
1861, one or moro have been esta ablished every
year since until now there are over seventy
European agricultural stations. Practical
farmers have been led to take great interest
"a, a l., e. o..l IL. -.
form the first from the fact of the great help
that science was giving TO other arts aud
professions. Progressive and intelligent far
mers could not let pass what promised so
great advantage to them, and have seized
upon the contributions Of chemistry and
allied sciences for their benefit. These sta.
tions were at first established by private en-
tsrprise but in many cases government has
come in with its aid.
The speaker referred especially to the
English station established by Mr. Lawes,
who with the aid Of DIR Gilbert has carried
on experiments for thirty years. The early
experiments were carried on chiefly with
manures, aud most valuable results, such as
could not have been predicted by any previ.
Gus observations, were reached. These ex.
perimebts OF Lawes and Gilbert have become
almost classic aud they are referred to as
settling any disputed point.
1t is popularity thought that field culture
yield the best results. But not so. In hot
houses experiments have been carried op
very successfully. Perhaps the very best
results have been obtained without any soil
at all. The terminating plantlet is made to
put down its roots into clear solution Of
slch substances as the plant is supposed to
need. BY Withholding certain ingredient
it is determined whether that particular
substance is necessary to the development of
the plant. In this way tie essential food for
each agricultural plant can be aud has been
Determined.
Chemical analyses are also carried on at
these stations. Commercial fertilizers are
valuable according to the amount Of nitrogtn n,
potash and phosphorc acid they contain.
Some Of these artificial manures have for
merly contained little and in some cases
none Of these and are Of no use. Chemical
analysis has doue away with falsilicatons
and adulterations perfectly in England aud
Germany aud is doing it largely in this
country. The German farmer buys not by
the ton in bulk, but according to the amount
of the three valuable materials present, which
is determined by chemical analysis. The
work OF analysis Of similar fertilizers, done
undor the direction Of the Vermont board OF
agriculture, has improved their character by
thirty-three per cent throughout the state.
ln one little German province a saving in
the matter Of fertilizers of $40 900 had been
made aud in all over 100000, aud this
with station whose entire annual expense
was only $4,000.
But this not all. Experiments are made
about the keeping and iattening Of stock
These experiments have been very elaborate te
and expensive, but have been eminently sat.
islactory. A farmer should feed his stock
according TO the results he wishes, whether
for beef, or butter, or for labor. By chem
icRl aud digestive experiments the value o
different kinds of food for different purposes
has been determined Fodder ratons which
have been planned in accordance with these
experiments are now used in Germany and
are proving Of wonderful value in the feed
ing of stock. What may and what may
not be fed with economy is well determined
These are hut u few OF the illustrations o
what the European experiment stations ar,
doing.
For some time past an effort has been na1
in Connecticut to establish an agricultural ex
pertinent station. Two Legislatures have ha,
the matter under their consideration, haviuj
been asked to make an appropriation o
$4,000 per annum. This thoy refused
The last Legislature was however prevaile
upon to appropriate 500 per quarter, o
81, 800 year to begin. A gentleman oil
, fered $1,000 iu addition with the assuranc
that the corporation of Wesleyan Universit
would give such facilities as their chemicu
laboratory afforded. With this a beginnin
has been made. The work thus far has bee
chiefly TO determine the value Of fertilizers.
this department large number Of analyst
have been made; The value of grasses 4
Q to the time Of cutting the action Of roots
tho chemical action Of the soil
Ask for an agricultural experiment static
4. in the right way for Vermont aud you wi
got il. But do not expect too much. I'll
. work will be slow. The best and most eI
j thusiastc workers will work slowly, but Il
! every dollar laid out FIVE, and more thu
this, will come back to the farmers Of Il
state.
|. Prof Atwater's address was wonderful
interesting The hearers showed on
= slightly their enthusiasm by their earne
applause. An instructive discussion fC
lowed.
g Tuesday Eoeniag,
.. Prof G. IL. Perkins of Burlington read
10 paper on "Noxous Insects" Pres NJ.
Ie Buckham of the University of Vermont gs
an interesting address upon the "Home Ii
IN Of the Farmer" HIS idea was, that the IA
)" mer's life ought to be more sel:respectlul a
\. eOntented. 1t was really painful to witnC
in the chronic display Of discomfort and dissl
N isiaetion with their calling, which seems