Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-01-21

1no AFTERNOON session opened with singing
by the Franklin Quartette Club, followed
by an essay eatitled docs Ignorance PAY 2"
by Mrs Kittie Bell Of Franklin. This was
most excellent aud thoughtful paper, and
well received by the audience.
Following this essay, Mr. Jameson made
series OF comments and criticisms Of a
very shrewd and good humored kind, which
ELECTED marked appreciation.
Col j. b. Mead of the board then ad.
dressed the assemblage upon Farm Build.
ings," as heretofore reported.
A little game Of good-uatured brap be.
tween couple of agricultural editors for
few moments followed the. Colonels excellent
address, which was succeeded by another
song from the club.
Hou A. I. Smith then gave his address
upon "Gsneral Dairy Interests" which was,
as usual, received with uproarious laughter
and applause.
Mr. H. Olmstead spoke of the evil effect
OF education upon the farmers son, so far
as to prevent his returning to the farm. He
thought home reading aud self.education the
most profitable to the farmer. He followed
with an eulogy upon New England habits
and advantages, and following his remarks
the choir sang song entitled "Hurrah for
New England"
The time having been fully occupied by
the papers, the meeting adjourned without
discussion Of any of the topics
Thursday Erening. p
The evening session was opened by music !;
after which Miss Mary A. Pomeroy Of
Franklin read an essay entitled Friction is
Always rhythmic" as poetioal q piece Of
prose, and Withal as beautiful 10 thought as
one could wish to listen to.
Next succeeding was paper Of DIR Hos
kins upon The Education of Farmers Boys y
The subject Of this address was discussed at
some length by Messrs Smith, Hubbard,
Mead and the speaker. After a song by the
choir, Il. X. Towls Of East Berkshire, read q
paper upon Capital in Farming In this
paper Mr. Towe begun by adverting to
tho general want Of active capital, in this
state devoted to agriculture. Very lew far
mers who are not in debt for land, nipple.
ments aud live stock, are possessed OF Surplus
funds necessary to employ tie labor, buy the
feed or fertilizers necessary to develop the
wealth producing resources Of the land.
When surplus does accumulate, instead of
using it as working capital, they embarrass
themselves with additional purchases of land,
and thus still further reduce their chances Of
developing their property advantageously.
Tho result Of this course is life Of grinding
labor, the rapid exhaustion Of the fertility Of
the land, and final bankruptcy, followed by
the turning out of farms to pasture and the
growth of brush and wood.
Very few Of our farmers have the means
to farm to full advantage farm Of even 100
acres. Such farm can be made to produce
far more clear profit than one of 1000 acres
farmed without capital. Such q farm as
that FIRST named, brought up to the produc.
tive power represented by two tons Of hay.
eighty bushels Of corn aud proportionate
orther crops, per acre, and stocked with COWS
capable Of yielding 200 pounds and upward
Of butter, will make a man wealthy within a
moderate life time. And it is possible, and
sometimes done here in Vermont by the use
Of capital. Mr. Towle referred to English
examples, aud especially the island of Jersey,
in illustration Of these views. In the latter,
farms Of from three to twenty-five acres,
devoted to dairy husbandry, support families
10 comfort under the high tillage aud abun.
dant fertilization there made use Of No far
mer there thinks Of engaging in business
without possessing surplus capital so as to
be able to work his land to the fullest ad.
vantage.
Mr. Towle urged the farmers present to
study upon this subject and see for them
selves the disadvantage Of investing all and
mIre than all their cash capital in land
alone. We want money to clear our land
of stones, put 10 drains, procure fertilizers
aud improved stock aud implements, pay for
labor and in buying whatever other aocesso.
riss are necessary in order to work to the
best advantage.
Friday Morning.
The first paper was read by j. T. Hefilon,
Esq, of Franklin subject, Improvement in
Farming Implements and Machines" Mr.
II. began with an account OF early farming
implements He then went on to speak of
the gradual improvement Of the primitive
TOOLS and the Introduction of new implements
for the planting, tilage and securing Of agr-
cultural crops, for threshing aud cleaning
|
aud for the manufactures Of the farm. The
farming implements now in use 10 the United
States are reckoned at S40,000,000 in
value.
Mr. Hubbard of the board spoke of the
necessity of farm machinery on account Of
the high cost of manual labor. 1t is his
principle to apply machinery to his work
whenever possible, and has always found it
to pay. He was the first mao to introduce
the tedder in his town, and it paid for itself
the first day he used it, enabling him to dry
a large field OF grass in advance of long
rain. Mr. II, spoke of the Importance of
good blowing, and especially of using plow
that not only turns the earth, but pulverizes
it. He also adverted to the great value Of
horse forks for unloading hay, and thought
their beet efficiency could not be developed
unless two horses or yoke OF oxen are used
in them, instead of a single horse. Believes
also in hay-loaders.
Nelson Nye, Esq, of Highgate spoke
favorably of True's potato planter which
cuts, drops and covers the potatoes. 1t works
like a charm. He also uses a corn planter
that works equally we'll.
Mr. Pringle Of the board, confirming a
statement Of Mr. Nye, said that potato cuts
will grow if they have no eyes on them.
Col Mead Of the board has also used the
potato planter with good success, 1t drops
not only the potato but any fine fertilizer
such as ashes plaster and phosphate. Corn
planters are equally successful on his farm,
and these implements are especially useful in
late springs.
Mr. IL. OlmstSad made an inquiry as to
the proper depth of blowing. He had hurt
his land by too deep blowing.
Mr. Smith of the board said he had had
great success in deep blowing upon a light
soil.
Mr. Hubbard said thn /, nlnHinn ahnnld be