Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-01-21
Meeting Of the State Board Of Agriculture,
Manufactures and Mining,
At Franklin, Thursday and Friday, Janu-
aFY u and IL, 1870.
THURSDAY MORNING.

The meeting was called to order by Score.
tary Seely. Judge Hubbard OF Franklin was
chosen chairman. An opening address was
delivered by Hon j. z. Odds of franklin.
After recapitulating the main points of
progress in the union aud the state during
the past century, the venerable gentleman
courteously extended the welcome Of his
townsmen to the board and accompanying
visitors aud speakers
II. Z. cleveland, Esq, of Franklin then
read an essay upon the subject Of" Feeding
Grain to Mich Cows
In this paper Mr. G. began by stating
that dairying as practiccd in this county is
not fairly profitable, many diaries not ex-
ceediug l25 lbs of butter at price not over
% cents pound. 1t is necessary to exceed
these figures considerably, aud it cannot be
we'll done without feeding richer food
With such feed. generally grain, from 200 to
$50 pounds Of butter is secured in this
county. worth at least 80 cents pound
Mr. cleveland then read statistics Of the
actual experience Of number OF farmers for
the past year in proof Of his position. His
own experience in the profit Of grain feeding
has bsen perfectly satisfactory. Some farm
ers are feeding as much as 10 to Is tons Of
shorts to their herds. The average feed is
about four quarts per day per COW, Mr. 9.
has sold 100 pounds Of butter from eight
cows, ut an average cost of $40 per COW for
grain feed. He regards bushel of coarse
middlings as worth more than bushsl OF
corn meal for dairy feeding.
Mr. Riley of franklin queried whether
this great increase in yield of our diaries
would not decrease the price of butter in
market.
Mr. Smith of the board thought the rene.
dy for this should be to reduce the herd
Mr.. Gates Of Franklin said he had tried
using grain to save his meadow, not expect
ing to make anything, but found that he
could not help making profit, besides
avoiding the injury to his meadows by past
uring.
Mr. Mead Of Franklin said grain increased
the quantity of butter and its quality, but
not the yield OF milk to any great extent
Had let up on meal feed this fall, and his
cows cut him down more than he had cut
down the cows. He should not try it again
Mr. Hoskins Of franklin sells from 100
to 80 pounds per COW, on hay and grass
only. This year has averaged 2l5 pounds,
including what be used in the family.
Mr. cleveland said this was q small Sc
lect dairy, kept on the best pasture in the
county. Mr. q. spoke Of feeding sour milk
to cows and thought it better to give this to
the pigs and give grain to COWS.
Mr. Noble of Berkshire had found sour
milk fed to cows had hurt his butter.
Mr. II. Olmsteal of Franklin said COM
mon sense was needed in dairying, and that
men who keep too many COWS for their feed
require meal, but where there is enough
good feed COWS may be brought to their
highest yield without grain. Thinks it bet
ter to enlarge the farm than buy meal. Has
never fed meal or grain to his herd, except
to special COWS that were old, or otherwise
failing and needed patching up.
Mr. O. Olmstead Of Franklin did not
agree with his brother. Not necessary to
patch up COWS, if meal is regularly fed.
Did not think that there would ever be diff
Guilty in selling good butter at good price.
The poor price goes usually with the small
yield.
Mr. Hubbard Of the board said he found
4 good profit 10 feeding grain. 1t is his
belief that feeding corn meal considerably
increases the percentage Of butter and
cheese in milk, but not the flow to any
great extent. Ia purchasing extra feed he
found it more profitable to buy grain than
hay. The three points Of successful dairy
ing are in keeping first-class cows, in liberal
feeding, and in scrupulouS nicely in the
manufacture Of the product.
Mr. Smith Of the board said that he had
tried oil kinds of grain feed, aud had always
found that when he took the corn meal out
of the ration Of his cows the yield Of butter
suffered.
Col Mead Of the board said he was a
hearty advocate Of feeding grain. He had
found that it improved the quantity and
quality OF the butter, aud kept the stock
improving. This question is one Of expert
ment, aud cannot be decided by opinion
without practical test. He believes in
keeping good stock and keeping it thriving
The best Of care brings the best Of profit.
Mr. Whitney of Franklin said he COM
msnosd on the old plan of keeping his stock
as cheap as he could, but he found ii poor
plan. He commenced feeding meal, and
had experimental in it to his satisfaction
Now gives his meal scAlded aud made into
Slop. Has tried wetting the hay and scat.
tering on the meal, aud Shrunk his COWS one.
third in week. Has never lost cent in