Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-04-26
" Bits Of Experience"


The Ner Eagland Fmmcr seems still to
continue the fayorite Journal Of the farmers
of Vermont hardly a number appearing
without from six to dozen original commu-
nications from this state. 1t seems pity
that no attempt has yet succeeded to estab-
fish among us an agricultural paper which
would hold the support Of our people, as the
Maine Fu7ner holds that of Maine against
all comers. We surely need such a paper
but one can only he established by the
patient hard work OF single controlling
mind, like that of Dr. Holmes, the founder OF
the Maine Farmer, the large subscription list
and powerful influence of which was Sc
cured only by many years of faithful devo-
ton, on the part Of its editor, to the inter
ests of his constituency. The mere name
Of Maine Farmer" at the head of paper
constantly changing its editors and varying
like weather-cock under every wind of
doctrine" could never have won such a
position.
But it was not to say this that we began
to write. 1t was to introduce an article
from recent issue of the Nec England
Farmer, bearing the title quoted above, and
written by Montpelier LADY, Mrs. c. +.
Dewey the excellence of which induces us
to transfer it to our columns, as follows;
LAST fall Aunt Abbie came to see me.
And do you write for the papers Z? said she.
! never read any of your pieces, but it does
make me laugh to read what some folks do
write about making butter
80 What about it ?
"'Well about white specks in butteri a
great long scientific article about what causes
white specls in butter, and some say one
thing and some say another and according
TO my idea, they don't any of them hit the
nail on the head.
"' But what does cause the specks ? We
have had few cummings With just that
trouble
Well, well, can tell you how never to
have any, if can't tell you the cause. Al
ways skim your milk before it hickcas, and
you won't have any specks in your butter
this time Of the year, skim after standing
twenty-four hours
"' But will you get all the cream 2
so All the cream Why, yes all that is
good for anything Now, there's our neigh
Dor W, he says we don't get all the cream
and he has the same number Of cows, a'
well kept as ours, sets the milk under til,
same conditions, skins his milk when it il
sour and hick, and wonders why he don
make as much butter as we do. why is it
If we don't get all the cream And ",
never have any white specks in our butter
"'Why don't you write your views of it
and send TO the papers 2
80 Ne write for the papers Then yoT,
laugh. No, | can't write it, bat know it.
!
+ al see it now, but didn't when the,
- were boys, said Farmer c. They are al
- for business-carry on large farms, keep ~
D the more important work; but they don't SCI
e the Mle things, they don't take care of tools
e they don't pick up and slick up. But the.
e are not so much TO blame as you nigh
!. think. When they were learning to work,
u wasn't able to do much, and just got roun'
!, to see to things They took the responsible
c ity of the heavy farm work, when they wer
d boys did well, worked hard; but was a
p ways round 10 see that everything was il
its right place--axes, rakes, scythes etc.i a
g ways saw that the cattle were all right, AM
y the barn doors shut-Sort Of finished up III
r chores. Wei, now they are doing for then
t selves, aud they are doing just as they wer
= trained to do. Good business manager
1 they keep great diaries and look out for tn
I main items on the farms, but the tools az
5 dropped about where it happens, and thing
5 are not kept up. They lose by it, but the
> were really trained 10 H. didn't see it the
e as do now.
4
4 "The above are yeritable bits of experience
a and the latter contains ideas which ought
# set us to thinking who have boys and CIR
e are many farmers children nearing the da
o when they can call themselves Of age, VIII
r If lett TO their own resources, would ne
A, know what to do nor how TO do it, thong
N brought up on farm and intending to
Il farmers. A great majority would probabl
" find it easier to do chores and take care {
ID things generally, than to buy and sell to az
er vantage, and with good judgment, 1t
,e easy to teach in words, but how many farm
i. ers will put money into the hands of the
,e sons and permit them to use their own judi
r. ment in buying stock and tools ? The
70 may make bad bargains the first time bl
they will never forget it if they do
c. And the girls--don't let them grow up
he eighteen without knowing how to do a
8, the cooking required in the family-frst an
ID foremost, good bread Yes, of cours
N And teach them how 10 take care of II