The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1876-08-05
Dairying and Fertility.

EDS. COUNTRY GENTLENIAN.-Iou
old correspondent, Newton Reed, asks
for information on this subject in re-
cent issue. While | may not be able to
throw much light upon the matter, I
will give him the benefit of my obser-
walton. When last had the pleasure
of visiting the beautiful valley where
he resides, there was no indication of
lack Of fertility, or cause to fear dete-
rioration Of the soil, if one was to Judge
from the well filled barns and granar-
les; but passing stranger might not
be able to form correct opinion with
out more intimate acquaintance. My
experience has taught me that many
have been disappointed in the results
of dairylng, and perhaps lie is right in
the matter. In regard to the cause,
think he has partially, If not fully ex-
planned it. In passing through dairy
section, have always noticed that
drouth is feared more than anything
else, and the longer the land has been
devoted to dairying the more ii suffers.
This Is owing to the compactness of
the soil caused by the constant tread
Ing of animals and the longer land lies
between plowings, rendering it less
porous and able TO withstand long con-
tinued dry weather.
With all due Difference to the advo.
Gates of permanent grass lands, it is an
established fact that nearly all our
lands in this country are benefited by
frequent and thorough cultivation.
Another reason for the trouble com.
planned of il that as rule COWS are
yarded nights, and the manure instead
of remaining in the pasture, is fire.
quently washed into the road, or some
ditch, and lost. and where saved il is
applied to tobacco or some crop which
is sold from the farm. Cattle generally
geek the lowest lands and swampy
places during the heat of the day when
most of the manure il dropped, feeding
on the hills only in the early morning.
Beyond all this Is the fact that in all
things nature demands change. or
rotation if you choose to term il 50
When we clear of "a piece of Woodland
a different kind Of timber succeeds the
one cut away. Since the creation of
the world one Kind after another of
animals has occupied the earth and
passed away to be succeeded by diff.
ferent species, and one nation after an
other has risen to the uppermost place
only TO give place TO another. Ere
quent change is written upon all
things. If this is true, then a frequent
rotation of crops and stock is in accord
anee with the laws of nature. Where
mich COWS are kept no one 81 these
conditions l. fulfilled.
Where all kinds of stock are fent
pastures are graZed alternately; what
one leaves another eats, weeds, hriaN
&C., are eradieated IA greater degree:
n better cultivation ul tiie soil prevails,
and the result Is that a more pros porous
condition IL manifest Much Of this il
in opposition to the >jrWs of some of
our best writer son agricultural subjects
still THIS state If affair exists lust
why, de- not know, Int this | do
know, that old dairy farms keen no
more stock than formerly, and raise no
larger crops as n rule; while farms
where mixed system of husbandry Is
pursued-especlally whore flock of
sheep is kept and stock fattened-show
a marked improvement. There we find
better buildings, better turnouts on the
road, and n more inviting looking
county, ID. $. b., in Country Gent