Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-03-03

hlnus OI grass ana tue various vulgar names
the same kinds sometime had. There are
hardly half dozen varieties with which
farmers are familiar; beyond these stretchesa
vast field Of grasses. Some may think that
the common kinds are all that farmer needs
to know, but there are others that be will be
obliged TO kHow, aud fight if he wonld retain
those which he has. Very much Of our sue
cess depends on our knowledge and attention
to this chief crop. Our fathers had only to
clear the land, aud rich grasses grew upon
the rich virgin soil, but now all is changed.
To grow grasses now successfully we must
pillow thoroughly aud manure heavily. Much
Of our land cannot be plowe1, aud this must
be treated in a different manner. The point
have been trying to reach is that we should
have more thorough knowledge of grasses.
Different soils are adapted to different kinds
Of grass, and different kinds are adapted to
a variety Of uses. Some tend to fat and
some to muscles, still others TO production of
heat and some as a tonic to aid digestion.
Orchard grass should be used more exton.
sivey. Ii is adapted to damp soils, and can
take the place of swamp grass. 1t must be
cut early and second crop can be obtained.
June grass is excellent for milk and makes
good pasturing. Hungarian grass grows
quickly, and can be used to restock meadows
that has been killed out. Quack grass is
not worthless, but makes fair quality of
hay if cut early. The great trouble with it
is 10 our hood fields from which il cannot be
eradicated.
Rev L. s. Hubbard l have had expert.
wit nd ali
always been successful have never found
anything that would give so good results.
Five pounds Of clover aud peck of
herdsgrass is enough for an acre. think it
would generally prove failure to seed in
November.
Mr. Chapman Clover would be failure
if sowa in November, and on some lands it
would be If sown at any time.
Mr. Oushman | have tried some expert
ments in growing grass. do not like the
the idea Of summer following so when | cut
my grass turn the sod over fat five inches
deep, and then apply the manure broadcast
and do not use the amount per acre that
farmers usually do. put on twenty loads,
instead Of forty; cultivate it out of sight,
and then SOW my grass seed in August. 10
this way | have been able to treat two acres
year and double the grass crop. If had
forty loads of manure TO apply l would
spread it on two acres instead OF one.
Mr. Cummings live among the rocks.
Some one has said that it is not profitable to
raise grain. believe we can raise one crop
of grain when stocking down aud by feeding
it on the farm make it as profitable as hay.
| had eight acres plowed the year previous
which | narrowed thoroughly applying thirty
loads of green manure per acre. | then
sowed to oats and stocked down. l had
fne yield of grain and promising crop of
grass.
Tuesday Erening.
Improvement of Pastures" by NJ. A.
Ballard Of Springfield
have urged farmers to plow and reseed
moist and rough pasture lands and in cases
where the plow can't be used would top.d-e
1t you have not manure enough you msst
save aud make more. l would suggest that
the mind be improved so that We can I'M
prove the soil scientifically. We should use
what yard manure we have and then, either
make or purchase something as a substitute
that will be of equal value. have made a
fertilizer with which | can topdress meadows
at cost Of about seven dollars per acre that
will double the hay crop. would urge
composing lime aud muck with yard manure.
Fifteen loads Of decomposed manure are
worth fifty green manure. 1t should also be
made fus SO that it can ho taken up by the
grass roots. BY these methods have
doubled my hay crop in five years still be.
lieving that it can be doubled again 10 the
next years Our soil grows poor by star.
walton. In two years clover takes the greater
part of potash out of the soil, but
with proper food it can be sustained many
years. Our pastures can be cleared of brakes
aud bushes by moving from the Goth OF June
to July.
Prot IL. NJ. Seeley of Middebury then
read paper on Science on the Farm" in
which he illustrated the progress science was
making in favor of agriculture, aud men.
toned as particular sciences geology which
treats Of the formation Of the earth and its
mineral products, aud makes US acquainted
with the origin Of the soil, lime aud guano,
and shows what kind Of soil wo may expect
in different localities. Next chemistry,
which has direct bearing on agriculture
in testing the quality of manures, and the
composition ofthe soil. Also natural history
which treats of animals, and meterology
which enlightens us respecting storms and
the functions of snow, rain aud dew.
A paper was then read by Col Mead of
Randolph entitled Opportunities for Young
Farmers" after which A. T. Smith of New
Haven made an earnest and eloquent spsech
on the farmers and citizens of Vermont thus
closing the first day of the meeting of the
board at Rochester.
Wednesday Morning.
II. j. Flint of Granville commenced by
reading paper on Education of Farmers"
in which he endeavored to point out some
of the errors in education. If farmer
would successfully carry on his business he
requires skill, not merely in powing and
reaping but he requires moro general knowl-
edge than almost any other trade or calling.
1t il not always the hardest WORKING farmer